Coriolanus

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Coriolanus Page 23

by William Shakespeare


  41. Lucy Munro, "Coriolanus and William Poel's Platform Stage," in Shakespeare in Stages, ed. Christine Dymkowski and Christie Carson (2010), p. 50.

  42. Wilhelm Hortmann, Shakespeare on the German Stage (1998), p. 149.

  43. Birmingham Mail, 10 May 1939.

  44. The Times, London, 10 May 1939.

  45. Daily Telegraph and Morning Post, 10 May 1939.

  46. Daily Herald, 14 March 1952.

  47. Daily Herald, 14 March 1952.

  48. Sunday Times, 28 February 1954.

  49. Ripley, Coriolanus on Stage in England and America, p. 284.

  50. Lewis Casson, quoted in Ripley, Coriolanus on Stage in England and America, p. 274.

  51. Daily Express, 8 July 1959.

  52. Lawrence Guntner, "Shakespeare on the East German Stage," in Foreign Shakespeare, ed. Dennis Kennedy (1993), pp. 110-11.

  53. Keith Gregor, Shakespeare in the Spanish Theatre 1772 to the Present (2010), p. 139.

  54. Theater heute, 23 September 1970.

  55. Kristina Bedford, Coriolanus at the National: "Th'Interpretation of the Time" (1992), p. 117.

  56. Quoted in Hortmann, Shakespeare on the German Stage, p. 457.

  57. Sunday Telegraph, 14 April 1991.

  58. Guardian, 28 November 1990.

  59. Sunday Times, 21 May 1995.

  60. Mail on Sunday, 18 June 2000.

  61. The Times, London, 29 March 2001.

  62. Gregor, Shakespeare in the Spanish Theatre, p. 145.

  63. Mary Steible, Coriolanus: A Guide to the Play (2004), p. 132.

  64. Ripley, Coriolanus on Stage in England and America, p. 315.

  65. Milton Shulman, Evening Standard, 13 April 1967.

  66. Ripley, Coriolanus on Stage in England and America, p. 316.

  67. Peter Lewis, Daily Mail, 13 April 1967.

  68. Frank Marcus, Sunday Telegraph, 16 April 1972.

  69. Ripley, Coriolanus on Stage in England and America, p. 317.

  70. John Mortimer, Observer, 16 April 1972.

  71. Peter Thomson, "No Rome of Safety: The Royal Shakespeare Season 1972 Reviewed," Shakespeare Survey 26 (1973), pp. 139-50 (pp. 143-44).

  72. Jean Vache, Cahiers Elisabethains, No. 14 (1978), p. 111.

  73. Terry Hands in an interview with John Higgins, The Times, London, 19 October 1977.

  74. Irving Wardle, The Times, London, 22 October 1977.

  75. Carol A. Chillington, Review of Coriolanus in Educational Theatre Journal, Vol. 30, No. 2 (May 1978), pp. 258-59 (p. 258).

  76. Peter Holland, Shakespeare Survey 44 (1992), p. 163.

  77. Ripley, Coriolanus on Stage in England and America, p. 324.

  78. Holland, Shakespeare Survey 44, p. 164, quoted in Ripley, Coriolanus on Stage in England and America, pp. 324-25.

  79. Russell Jackson, Shakespeare Quarterly, Vol. 46 (1995), p. 345.

  80. Holland, Shakespeare Survey 44, p. 215.

  81. Holland, Shakespeare Survey 44, pp. 215-16.

  82. Jackson, Shakespeare Quarterly, Vol. 46, p. 345.

  83. Jackson, Shakespeare Quarterly, Vol. 46, p. 345.

  84. Russell Jackson, "Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon: Summer and Winter, 2002-2003," Shakespeare Quarterly, Vol. 54 (2003), pp. 167-85 (p. 183).

  85. Benedict Nightingale, The Times, London, 28 November 2002.

  86. Jackson, "Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon," p. 184.

  87. Philippa Prankard, Stratford Herald, 8 March 2007.

  88. Ripley, Coriolanus on Stage in England and America, p. 316.

  89. Ripley, Coriolanus on Stage in England and America, p. 314.

  90. Ripley, Coriolanus on Stage in England and America, p. 314.

  91. Ripley, Coriolanus on Stage in England and America, p. 314.

  92. John Barton, Program Notes, RSC Coriolanus, 1967.

  93. Alan Brien, Sunday Telegraph, 16 April 1967.

  94. Peter Lewis, Daily Mail, 13 April 1967.

  95. Irving Wardle, The Times, London, 13 April 1967.

  96. John Barber, Daily Telegraph, 12 April 1972.

  97. John Mortimer, Observer, 16 April 1972.

  98. Thomson, "No Rome of Safety," p. 143.

  99. Irving Wardle, The Times, London, 22 October 1977.

  100. Chillington, Review of Coriolanus, pp. 258-59.

  101. Peter Holland, Shakespeare Survey 44, pp. 164-65.

  102. Jackson, Shakespeare Quarterly, Vol. 46, pp. 346-47.

  103. John Peter, Sunday Times, 1 December 2002.

  104. Benedict Nightingale, The Times, London, 28 November 2002.

  105. Paul Taylor, Independent Review, 4 December 2002.

  106. Robert Hanks, Independent, 8 March 2007.

  107. Michael Billington, Guardian, 8 March 2007.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND

  PICTURE CREDITS

  Preparation of "Coriolanus in Performance" was assisted by a generous grant from the CAPITAL Centre (Creativity and Performance in Teaching and Learning) of the University of Warwick for research in the RSC archive at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

  The second half of the introduction ("From Mob to Mother: The Critics Debate") draws extensively on a longer overview of the play's critical history prepared for us by Sarah Carter.

  Thanks as always to our indefatigable and eagle-eyed copy editor Tracey Day and to Ray Addicott for overseeing the production process with rigor and calmness.

  Picture research by Michelle Morton. Grateful acknowledgment is made to the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust for assistance with picture research (special thanks to Helen Hargest) and reproduction fees.

  Images of RSC productions are supplied by the Shakespeare Centre Library and Archive, Stratford-upon-Avon. This library, maintained by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, holds the most important collection of Shakespeare material in the UK, including the Royal Shakespeare Company's official archive. It is open to the public free of charge.

  For more information see www.shakespeare.org.uk.

  1. Frank Benson as Coriolanus (1893). Reproduced by permission of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 2. Directed by Peter Hall (1959). Angus McBean (c) Royal Shakespeare Company 3. Directed by Trevor Nunn (1972). Joe Cocks Studio Collection (c) Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 4. Directed by David Thacker (1994). Malcolm Davies (c) Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 5. Directed by John Barton (1967). Tom Holte (c) Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 6. Directed by Terry Hands (1977). Joe Cocks Studio Collection (c) Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 7. Directed by Gregory Doran (2007). Simon Annand (c) Royal Shakespeare Company 8. Directed by David Farr (2002). Malcolm Davies (c) Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 9. Reconstructed Elizabethan Playhouse (c) Charcoalblue

  THE MODERN LIBRARY EDITORIAL BOARD

  Maya Angelou

  *

  A. S. Byatt

  *

  Caleb Carr

  *

  Christopher Cerf

  *

  Harold Evans

  *

  Charles Frazier

  *

  Vartan Gregorian

  *

  Jessica Hagedorn

  *

  Richard Howard

  *

  Charles Johnson

  *

  Jon Krakauer

  *

  Edmund Morris

  *

  Azar Nafisi

  *

  Joyce Carol Oates

  *

  Elaine Pagels

  *

  John Richardson

  *

  Salman Rushdie

  *

  Oliver Sacks

  *

  Carolyn See

  *

  Gore Vidal

  1.1 Location: Rome (a public place)

  3 famish starve

  9 verdict agreed decision

  10 on't i.e. about it

  12 poor impoverished (playing on the sense of "bad, unworthy") 12 patricians members of the noble families of Rome from whom senators and consuls were chosen 13 good wealthy, well-to
-do (playing on the sense of "worthy") 13 authority those in power, i.e. the patricians 13 surfeits on is overfed on, overindulges in

  14 but the superfluity merely the excess

  14 wholesome nutritious, good, restorative

  15 guess believe, judge

  16 dear costly

  16 object sight

  17 inventory ... abundance detailed account that enables them to itemize their own wealth through contrast 18 sufferance suffering

  19 pikes long-handled weapon topped with a spearhead 19 ere before

  19 rakes i.e. very thin

  23 dog i.e. cruel, pitiless

  23 commonalty common people

  30 famously gloriously, in a manner that gained him fame 31 to that end i.e. in order to achieve fame 31 soft-conscienced weak-minded

  33 to ... proud i.e. partly out of pride

  33 even ... virtue i.e. he is just as proud as he is courageous 37 If even if

  38 tire in repetition exhaust the speaker in recounting them 39 risen in revolt

  40 prating chattering

  40 th'Capitol Capitoline Hill, site of the temple of Jupiter; used in the play as the location of the senate house 42 Soft wait a moment

  47 bats cudgels

  47 matter matter in hand/reason

  50 suitors petitioners

  51 strong strong-smelling (sense then shifts to "powerful") 52 masters sirs

  53 undo ruin

  56 For as for

  57 dearth scarcity, famine

  58 staves staffs used as weapons

  59 on continue on

  60 curbs restraints (literally, chain passed under a horse's jaw) 62 your impediment any obstacle you can present

  64 knees i.e. in prayer

  64 arms weapons (playing on the sense of "limbs") 65 transported carried away

  66 attends awaits

  67 helms helmsmen, i.e. guides (possibly plays on the sense of "protective helmets") 69 True, indeed either spoken ironically or "indeed, as a matter of fact"

  70 Suffer allow (plays on the sense of "inflict pain on") 71 for i.e. allowing

  71 usury money lending (often at very high rates of interest) 71 usurers moneylenders

  73 piercing oppressive, severe

  77 wondrous extraordinarily

  79 pretty apt

  81 stale't make it stale, wear it out

  83 disgrace misfortune/injury

  83 an't if it

  83 deliver tell (the tale)

  88 cupboarding hoarding

  88 viand food

  89 Like equal

  89 instruments functioning body parts, organs

  90 devise think

  91 participate participating

  92 affection desires, inclination

  96 ne'er ... lungs i.e. was not hearty and genuine 96 thus Menenius imitates the smile, either with his mouth or with his belly (perhaps by belching) 100 his receipt what he received

  100 even ... fitly just as aptly, fittingly (said in irony) 101 for that because

  107 muniments provisions/defenses, fortifications 108 fabric building, structure (i.e. body)

  109 Fore me before me (oath)

  109 speaks i.e. talks a lot

  110 cormorant greedy (like the seabird)

  111 sink sewer

  113 former previously named

  116 small i.e. small quantity

  117 you'st you shall

  120 Your i.e. this

  120 grave serious, dignified

  122 incorporate united in one body

  123 general belonging to everyone

  128 court plays on the Latin cor ("heart") and on "core" ("inmost part") 129 cranks winding passages

  129 offices parts of the house used by servants (kitchen etc.) 130 nerves sinews

  131 competency means of life

  133 mark pay attention, listen to

  137 make ... up compile my account, balance my records 138 flour i.e. finest quality meal of wheat or other grain, plays on "flower" (the best part) 139 bran husks (separated from flour after grinding), i.e. inedible part 143 digest interpret, understand (plays on the bodily sense) 144 weal o'th'common public welfare

  152 rascal rogue/one of low birth/(hunting) dog

  152 worst in blood least lively, in poorest condition (hunting term)/most ill-bred 153 vantage (individual) advantage

  156 The one side one side or the other

  156 bale misfortune

  157 dissentious quarrelsome, rebellious

  159 scabs sores/contemptible rogues

  160 ever always

  162 abhorring contempt

  162 curs dogs

  163 nor neither

  163 The one i.e. war

  164 proud arrogant, self-important

  165 hares i.e. timid

  166 foxes i.e. clever, cunning

  166 geese i.e. foolish

  166 surer more reliable

  168 virtue particular ability

  170 Who whoever

  171 Deserves earns, acquires

  171 affections desires, inclinations

  173 evil sickness

  175 rushes flimsy reeds

  177 now just now, recently

  178 garland hero (deserving of a wreath of victory) 179 several various

  181 which else who otherwise

  182 seeking request/demand

  188 side takes sides in

  188 give out report

  189 marriages political alliances

  190 feebling weakening

  191 cobbled patched, roughly mended

  192 ruth compassion, pity

  193 quarry pile of dead bodies (hunting term)

  194 quartered mutilated, cut into quarters

  195 pick pitch, throw

  198 passing surpassingly, excessively

  201 an-hungry hungry (Martius mocks the people's unsophisticated speech) 202 dogs even dogs

  203 meat food

  204 shreds scraps (of reasoning)

  207 generosity the nobles

  209 As as if

  210 shouting their emulation each competing to shout the loudest/shouting in ambitious triumph 212 tribunes officials appointed to protect the interests and rights of the people 212 vulgar common, public, plebeian

  214 'Sdeath by God's death (common oath)

  217 Win upon power gain the advantage over those in power 217 themes subjects/arguments

  218 For insurrection's arguing to justify rebellion 220 fragments insignificant beings (literally, scraps of food) 224 vent get rid of/excrete or urinate

  225 musty superfluity moldy excess, i.e. the troublesome citizens (imaged as stale goods or as bodily waste matter) 226 that what

  229 to't i.e. to the test

  233 together i.e. against each other

  234 by th'ears fighting

  235 party side

  236 with i.e. against

  239 Attend upon serve under, follow

  242 constant unchanging, true to my word

  244 stiff reluctant/stiff with age/rendered incapable by injury 244 Stand'st out? Will you not fight?

  247 Ere in preference to

  249 Your i.e. may I have your

  250 attend await

  253 Right ... priority you deserve to go first

  258 garners granaries, storehouses

  258 Worshipful esteemed (sarcastic)

  259 puts well forth develops well, is promising (mocking) 265 moved roused, angered

  265 spare to gird refrain from mocking

  266 modest chaste (the moon was associated with Diana, Roman goddess of chastity) 267 The may the

  270 Tickled with pleased by/excited by/provoked, urged on by 271 noon suggestive of the height of success, when shadows are smallest (but later grow) 272 insolence haughty pride

  272 brook bear

  277 miscarries fails

  279 giddy censure fickle (public) opinion

  283 Opinion the reputation/public opinion

  284 demerits deserts

  286 are be
long

  289 aught anything

  291 dispatch settlement of affairs

  292 More ... singularity his individual qualities aside/with even greater self-importance 293 action military enterprise

  294 along go

  1.2 Location: Corioli (also known as Corioles)

  2 entered in acquainted with counsels opinions/plans/secrets 6 ere before

  7 circumvention a chance to outwit (the plan)

  10 pressed a power raised an army

  14 of by

  16 preparation equipped military force

  17 Whither wherever bent directed

  19 field battlefield

  20 made doubt but doubted that

  23 pretences plans

  24 needs necessarily

  26 shortened curtailed

  27 take in capture

  30 hie hurry bands troops

  32 set down before's besiege us remove removal, lifting (of the siege) 37 parcels parts, sections power army forth out, on the move 38 only hitherward march only in our direction

  40 ever ceaselessly, constantly

  1.3 Location: Martius' house, Rome

  2 comfortable cheerful

  2 sort manner

  3 freelier more freely

  5 tender-bodied young

  6 comeliness good looks

  9 become befit, suit

  9 person character/physical appearance

  10 picture-like ... th'wall i.e. purely ornamental 10 renown (desire for) honor

  11 like likely

  13 oak a garland of oak leaves, signifying that he had saved the life of a fellow Roman citizen 15 now i.e. at that time

  18 issue offspring

  21 voluptuously surfeit live in luxurious, sensual excess 24 give ... myself permit me to withdraw

  26 hither from here/coming this way

  27 See i.e. I imagine I see

  30 got begot, conceived

  32 mailed armored

  33 tasked employed

  33 mow Or either mow

  34 hire fee

  35 Jupiter Roman supreme god

  37 gilt his trophy than a covering of gold befits the monument to his victory 37 Hecuba Queen of Troy and mother of

  38 Hector, who led the Trojan army

  40 contemning in scorn

  41 fit ready, in a proper state

  42 bless i.e. protect

  42 fell fierce, cruel

  Usher male attendant who walked before a person of rank

  48 manifest housekeepers clearly engaged in domestic affairs 49 spot piece of embroidery

  54 O'my on my

  55 troth faith

  55 half ... together for a full half hour

  56 he's he has

  56 confirmed determined

  58 after i.e. ran after

  59 or whether whether

  60 set clench

  61 warrant assure you

  61 mammocked tore to pieces

  62 on's of his

  63 la exclamation used for emphasis

  64 crack little rascal

  66 housewife may play on the sense of "hussy, worthless woman"

  67 out go out

  72 Fie expression of reproach

  73 lies in is due to have a baby soon

  77 want lack

  78 Penelope faithful wife of Ulysses, king of Ithaca; while he was away fighting in the Trojan wars, she deterred her suitors by insisting that she had to finish weaving her father-in-law's shroud, which she then unpicked every night 80 would wish

 

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