At the Arrival of the Ladies the Tribunes Stand Aside

Coriolanus

2.1

Back in Rome they wait for news of the success – or otherwise – of the war against the Volsces – the augurers try to prophesy, usually by sacrificing an animal and examining its entrails for signs [Note how this also plays into the many images of body parts in the play – always remembering that the human body is a paradigm of the body politic in the play]

The two Tribunes and Menenius exchange barbed pleasantries//insults – tribunes accuse Caius of pride and boastfulness – indeed, he is “stored with all” faults;

Menenius retorts with accusations of their own pride and of their inability to do anything “alone” – he taunts them that they are too weak and “infant-like” to do anything individually but acquire significance only with the help of the “many” (i.e. the plebeians) – if only they could “make but an interior survey of your good selves” (another body interior image) they would discover their own many faults;

They exchange insults on their respective reputations as magistrates, administering the laws: Men. admits to a weakness for strong drink and to being quick-tempered but argues that he speaks his mind frankly and bears no grudges. The tribunes, however, are only interested in “poor knaves’ caps and legs”, spend an inordinate amount of court time on trivial cases only to leave the case “more entangled by your hearing”;

Menen. brushes criticism of himself and scorns their smattering of wisdom, taunting them with their lowly family origins – “hereditary hangmen”;

At the arrival of the ladies the tribunes ‘stand aside’.

Volumnia has news (letter) of Martius’ success in the war and Menen. is exhilarated that he, too, has a letter; Martius’ mother rejoices that her son has the “oaken garland” and has received more wounds – in all he has 27 wounds. She is excited that he will have many large scars that he can “show the people” when undertakes the traditional rituals to be elected consul;

As off-stage shouts announce the arrival in Rome of the army Volumnia images her son as Death itself whose sinewy sword arm is raised and when it falls “then men die” [another image that establishes Martius as more than (and also less than) human.];

Martius and the other generals enter ceremonially and he is announced formally with his new name of ‘Coriolanus’ but is again embarrassed by such personal tributes;

He kneels before his other (an important visual image since the positions are reversed – fatally – later in the play); he addresses his wife as “My gracious silence” but is unable to understand her tears of relief at his safe return, identifying tears with Volscian mothers and widows “that lack sons”;

Menen. gives his own effusive welcome to all three generals, glancing briefly at “some old crabtrees” (i.e. the tribunes) whose reception of Martius is more sour;

Before returning to his own domestic home Martius must first visit the senate who must officially welcome him to Rome;

Volumnia reveals that her son’s honours give her everything that she had previously hoped for – only “one thing (is) wanting” – this, of course, is the consulship;

However, Martius’ uneasiness and stubbornness is captured in his observation: “I had rather be their servant in my way/ Than sway with them in theirs”.

The exit of the procession to the Capitol leaves the tribunes alone on stage. They reflect sourly how Martius is hero-worshipped by Romans of every social station who crowd the houses and streets to catch a glimpse of him [essentially the description is of a very English crowd rather than a Roman one];

They reflect ominously that if Martius is elected consul their own power will evaporate;

Sicinius, however, demonstrates good understanding of Martius’ character when he observes that there is an obsolute quality in his temperament so that he will not be able to uphold his honours with any measure of restraint and will eventually “Lose those he has won” – a prophetic observation; the commoners who now adore him, if provoked even a little, will remember their long-standing hatred of him and Martius’ own pride will undoubtedly provide that provocation;

Brutus anticipates one point of conflict over the ceremonies required of one seeking the consulship: Martius has sworn that he will never wear the “gown of humility” and show his many wounds publicly as tradition demands that he should;

it will be essential if they are to maintain their own interests that this should become a matter of contention and Brutus says that they must remind the commoners of Martius’ inveterate hatred of them, regarding them only as beasts of burden and valuable only for drudgery;

Sicinius is confident that if they can “teach the people” there will be no lack of opportunity to inflame them against Martius.

A Messenger summons them to the Capitol with further details of popular enthusiasm for Martius – notice that “The nobles bended/ As to Jove’s statue” – another detail that envisions Martius as a god.

2.2

Officers (minor civil servants) lay out cushions to indicate that we at the Capitol.

2ndofficer reflects on how unstable is the loyalty of the common people who are easily flattered by the unworthy and seem to give their support – and contempt – irrationally; it is only sensible of Martius, therefore, that he should not disguise his indifference to their opinion of him;

1st officer points out that this would be true if Martiuswere indifferent – but he seems actively and deliberately to seek their hatred – which he regards as being as bad of using flattery to gain their support;

2nd officer points out that Martius has won admiration by a harder route (in battle) than the flatters who have only given them honeyed words and the populace would be guilty of profound ingratitude if they failed to acknowledge his honourable achievements.

Another ceremonial entry with the three generals and senators – note that the tribunes are seated ‘by themselves’, separate from the majority of senators who are of the patrician class.

Menen. formally announces the reason for their gathering together and personally introduces ‘Coriolanus’ by his new honorary name;

A Senator urges that no detail of Martius’ achievements should be omitted lest the senate be accused of ingratitude – addressing the tribunes he requests that they will use their well-disposed influence with the common people to report to them faithfully and generously what takes place at this meeting.

Sicinius replies that they attend in good faith and are favourably disposed to report the doings of the assembly;

Brutus, however, is not quite so accommodating, saying that they will do so “If” Martiusis himself better disposed towards the people than he has been hitherto;

Menen. interrupts, arguing that Martius’ attitude towards the people is off the subject – he assures the tribunes that “He loves your people” but they must not expect that he should become “their bedfellow” – i.e. he will always maintain an appropriate distance from the people as befits his more elevated rank.

Embarrassed that his military achievements are about to be catalogued Martius “offers to go away”, saying that he would “rather have my wounds to heal again” than to hear how he acquired them and acknowledges that “When blows have made me stay I fled from words”. As he begins to speak of “your people” he is interrupted in mid-sentence by Menen. who is anxious to prevent him from saying something insulting and inflammatory about them;

Martius expands that he would rather ignore the alarum call to battle than remain “To hear my nothings monstered” – as previously, Martius’ modesty is excessive and arguably manifests itself as arrogance – by no stretch of imagination could his achievements be described as “nothings” or that an honest account of them would exhibit them as marvels (“monstered”) – again the word ‘marvel’ suggests the unnatural.

Interestingly, the OED quotes this very passage to illustrate the meaning of ‘monstered’ in this context:

2.trans.To exhibit as a ‘monster’; to point out as something remarkable. Nowarch.andrare.

a1616ShakespeareCoriolanus(1623)ii.ii. 77, I had rather haue one scratch my Head i'th' Sun, When the Alarum were strucke, then idly sit To heare my Nothingsmonster'd.

We finished at this point.