Coriolanus Essay Volumnia Example For Students

Coriolanus Essay Volumnia A monologue from the play by William ShakespeareVOLUMNIA: You are too absolute;Though therein you can never be too noble,But when extremities speak. I have heard you say,Honor and policy, like unsevered friends,I th war do grow together. Grant that, and tell me,In peace what each of them by th other lose,That they combine not there. If it be honor in your wars to seemThe same you are not, which, for your best ends,You adopt your policy how is it less or worse,That it shall hold companionship in peaceWith honor, as in war; since that to bothIt stands in like request?It lies on you to speakTo th people, not by your own instruction,Nor by th matter which your heart prompts you,But with such words that are but roted inYour tongue, though but bastards and syllablesOf no allowance to your bosoms truth.Now, this no more dishonors you at allThan to take in a town with gentle words,Which else would put you to your fortune andThe hazard of much blood.I would dissemble with my nature whereMy fortunes and my friends at stake requiredI should do so in honor. I am in thisYour wife, your son, these senators, the nobles;And you will rather show our general loutsHow you can frown than spend a fawn upon em,For the inheritance of their loves and safeguardOf what that want might ruin.I prithee now, my son,Go to them, with this bo nnet in thy hand;And thus far having stretched it, here be with them Thy knee bussing the stones, for in such businessAction is eloquence, and the eyes of th ignorantMore learned than the ears waving thy head,Which, often thus correcting thy stout heart,Now humble as the ripest mulberryThat will not hold the handling; or say to themThou art their soldier, and being bred in broilsHast not the soft way which, thou dost confess,Were fit for thee to use as they to claim,In asking their good loves; but thou wilt frameThyself, forsooth, hereafter theirs, so farAs thou hast power and person.Go and be ruled; although I know thou hadst ratherFollow thine enemy in a fiery gulfThan flatter him in a bower.