80 cambric fine linen (originally from Cambray in Flanders) 80 sensible capable of feeling, sensitive
81 leave cease
87 Verily truly
94 nothing doubt prevailing have no doubt they will succeed 96 Give me excuse excuse me, i.e. permit me to stay 99 disease ... mirth spoil our good cheer 100 troth truth
103 at a word once and for all, in a word
1.4 Location: outside Corioles; the rest of the scenes in Act 1 take place at varying distances from the city
1.4 Drum a drummer
1.4 Colours ensigns, bearers of military banners or flags 1.4 to them i.e. to them comes
1 met i.e. in battle
2 My ... no i.e. I bet my horse against yours that they haven't 6 spoke encountered one another, fought
9 nor neither
13 'larum alarum, i.e. call to arms
14 Mars Roman god of war
15 smoking i.e. steaming (after immersion in hot blood) 16 fielded engaged on the battlefield parley trumpet summons to negotiation between enemy forces on the walls i.e. the upper staging level or gallery, conventionally used to represent city walls 18 nor ... he i.e. there are no men within the walls who fear you 21 pound us up confine us (like animals)
22 pinned with rushes i.e. bolted weakly, as if with mere reeds 24 List listen (to)
25 cloven split in two, divided
27 Their let their our instruction our example, a lesson to us 30 proof impenetrable
31 beyond our thoughts more than we had imagined
34 edge sword edge
35 south south wind, thought to carry disease
38 Further than seen even before you are seen (because of your diseased stench) 39 Against ... mile so contagiously that the infection will carry a whole mile against a contrary wind souls of geese i.e. cowards and fools 41 Pluto Roman god of the underworld
42 behind in the back, i.e. as they fled in cowardice 43 agued trembling (an ague was a fever characterized by shaking) 43 Mend improve
43 home toward the target, i.e. the enemy 46 beat drive with blows
48 ope open seconds supporters
49 followers pursuers them i.e. the gates 50 fliers those who retreat 54 th'pot the cooking pot, i.e. death
59 Clapped to shut
60 answer face/encounter in a fight
62 sensibly capable of feeling pain outdares dares more than 63 bows bends stand'st he stands left i.e. alone in the city 64 carbuncle entire flawless red precious stone
66 Cato Marcus Cato, known as the "Censor," an advocate of Rome's military virtues (an anachronism: Cato lived 234-149 BC) 73 fetch him off rescue him
73 make remain stay (with him)
3 murrain plague (literally disease affecting cattle and sheep) 1.5 Trumpet trumpeter
4 prize value
5 drachma silver coin (here deemed of little value)
6 irons iron weapons, swords
6 of a doit i.e. worth very little doit Dutch coin worth only half an English farthing 6 doublets close-fitting jackets
6 hangmen hangmen were entitled to keep the clothing of those they put to death 9 the general i.e. Cominius
12 convenient appropriate
12 make good secure
20 physical medicinal, restorative (a reference to the common medical treatment of bloodletting) 24 charms magic spells
25 opposers' opponents'
26 Prosperity ... page i.e. may success attend on you 27 Thy ... highest i.e. may prosperity be no less a friend to you 1.6 retire retreat
1 Breathe you catch your breath, rest
2 stands resistance/holding of a military position
4 struck been fighting, given blows
5 By ... gusts at intervals and blown in on the wind
6 The may the
8 fronts faces/front ranks (of the army)
10 issued come forth
17 briefly not long ago
18 confound waste
21 that so that
25 as as if
26 stamp imprint, i.e. form, bearing
27 Before-time formerly
29 tabor small drum used for reveling
31 meaner humbler, lower-ranking/less worthy
35 clip clasp, embrace
38 tapers candles
38 to bedward to indicate bedtime, to show the way to bed 40 busied about decrees busy with legal judgments
45 slip be unleashed
51 common file ordinary soldiers
52 budge flinch
55 think think so
59 to ... purpose i.e. draw breath, regroup (in order to win) 60 lies their battle are their troops drawn up
63 bands i'th'vanguard troops in the foremost part of the army (spelled "vaward" in Shakespearean English) 63 Antiates people from Antium, now Anzio, in southern Italy 64 of ... trust their most reliable men
69 endure remain
72 advanced upraised
72 darts small spears/arrows
73 prove test
76 balms healing ointments
81 painting i.e. blood
83 Lesser ... report less for his personal safety than for his reputation 84 brave noble, splendid/courageous
86 him alone only that man
89 O ... me? Do you choose me as your sword? (where O, me alone is an exclamation of surprise)/Do you select only me as your weapon? (perhaps referring to the fact that the soldiers have raised him aloft like a sword) 90 outward superficial, for the sake of appearance
91 But is is not worth
96 cause ... obeyed circumstance dictates
100 Make ... ostentation i.e. match this impressive display with action 101 Divide in all have a portion of all (the booty) 1 ports gates
3 centuries companies of one hundred soldiers
4 holding i.e. of the city
6 Fear not do not doubt/do not worry about
6care diligence/responsibility
1.8 several separate
4 Not Afric owns Africa does not possess
5 fame and envy great reputation and personal malice/envied reputation/hated reputation 5 Fix thy foot stand firm (in preparation for hand-to-hand combat) 6 budger one who flinches
8 holla shout at (as, while hunting, one would cry out after a fleeing hare) 13 Wrench up strain, summon
15 bragged progeny the (Trojan) ancestry you boast of 16 scape escape from
18 In ... seconds with your damned supporters
1.9 Flourish trumpet fanfare (usually signaling the arrival or departure of a person in authority) 1.9 retreat trumpet call instructing soldiers to retreat 1.9 scarf sling/bandage
1 tell thee o'er recount to you
4 attend listen
4 shrug i.e. in disbelief
5 I'th'end admire and eventually marvel
6 gladly quaked willingly frightened, eager and trembling 6 dull sluggish/stupid
7 fusty stale, moldy
8 hearts wills, inclinations
10 cam'st ... before i.e. this was a trifling challenge for you, in comparison with the battle you fought at Corioles 13 caparison mere trappings
16 charter ... blood right to praise her offspring
18 induced prevailed upon
20 effected carried out
21 overta'en outdone
22 be ... deserving i.e. bury your worthiness 25 a traducement slander
27 to ... vouched i.e. affirmed in the highest possible terms 29 In sign as a token
33 not i.e. not hear themselves remembered
34 gainst in the face of
35 tent probe, clean surgically (i.e. cure)
36 good ... store fine ones and plenty of them
37 in ... city gained in the field and in the city
38 the i.e. one
40 At ... choice entirely as you choose
44 stand insist
44 common part ordinary share
45 beheld the doing seen the action
bare bareheaded, a sign of respect
49 soothing flattery
50
parasite sycophantic, sponging courtier (playing on the sense of "silkworm") 50 him i.e. the parasite (though functioning as "it," him could refer to steel or silk) 51 overture announcer, a herald/leader, opener of the attack (some editors emend to "ovator," i.e. one who receives an ovation or a processional entrance into Rome for a military commander) 52 For that because
53 debile feeble
53 note attention, notice being taken
54 shout me forth proclaim my virtues/hail me
56 little small achievements
56 dieted in fed on
57 sauced seasoned, flavored
60 give portray, report by your
60 patience with your permission
62 means intends
62 proper own
65 garland wreath of victory
67 his trim belonging the equipment (trim) that goes with him 69 host army
70 th'addition the title/mark of distinction
73 fair clean
74 howbeit nevertheless
75 stride sit astride
76 undercrest bear (as if on a crest)
77 th'fairness ... power the best of my ability
82 best leading citizens, most high-ranking men (of Corioles) 82 articulate negotiate a treaty
89 sometime at one time, formerly
89 lay lodged
90 used treated
91 cried called out
97 Deliver release
103 visage face
1 ta'en captured
2 good condition favorable terms
5 that what
6 condition quality
7 i'th'part ... mercy for the side that is at the mercy of the victors 9 encounter meet in combat
12 emulation rivalry
13 where whereas
15 potch poke, thrust
16 or either
16 craft skill/cunning
18 subtle cunning, treacherous
19 stain disgrace/eclipse
20 shall ... itself shall my valor fly from its own nature 21 naked defenseless
21 fane temple
23 Embarquements prohibitions
24 rotten corrupt, decayed
26 upon under
26 guard protection
27 hospitable canon law of hospitality
29 what who
32 attended awaited
33 south south of
2.1 Location: Rome
1 augurer Roman religious official who foretold the future through studying celestial phenomena, the behavior and entrails of birds and other sacrificial creatures 3 Not ... people not what the people wish for
5 beasts i.e. even beasts
10 baas bleats
14 enormity vice, wickedness
16 stored well supplied
20 censured judged, thought of
20 o'th'right-hand file by honorable and noble men (who were, in battle, traditionally placed on the right-hand side of a troop formation) 26 'tis ... matter i.e. if you do get angry
26 a ... occasion i.e. the slightest opportunity, serving as a thief 28 at your pleasures as you choose
33 single solitary/feeble
35 toward ... necks i.e. inward 39 brace pair
40 testy irritable
43 humorous temperamental (governed by the four bodily humors thought to control disposition and mood) 44 hot spiced/warm
44 allaying moderating, cooling
44 Tiber Rome's river, i.e. water
45 imperfect faulty (in character)
46 complaint i.e. complainant in a legal case 46 tinder-like hot-tempered, easily incensed
46 motion cause
47 converses associates, is familiar
47 buttock ... night i.e. late nights
48 spend expend, use up
49 breath utterance, words (i.e. he does not bear grudges) 49 wealsmen public servants
50 Lycurguses i.e. wise men; Lycurgus was a legendary Spartan legislator, noted for his wisdom 51 I ... it i.e. my grimace will reveal what I think 169 make ... it honor a man whose wrongdoing is punished, and curse the justice that did so 52 delivered expressed, reported
53 the ... syllables i.e. foolishness in most of what you say 53 compound union, association
55 deadly excessively
56 tell say/report
56 good honest/handsome
56 this i.e. all that I have just admitted about myself 57 the ... microcosm i.e. my face (which charts the nature of the body, often viewed as a "little world") 58 bisson bleary-eyed
58 conspectuities faculties of sight/insights
59 character personality sketch/physical appearance 62 caps i.e. doffing of caps in deference
62 legs i.e. bows
63 wholesome forenoon potentially profitable morning 64 orange-wife woman who sells oranges; perhaps suggesting a dispute between a prostitute and her client; prostitutes often posed as orange-sellers in the public theaters 64 faucet-seller seller of taps for wine or beer barrels 64 rejourn postpone, adjourn
65 controversy dispute
65 audience hearing
66 party and party i.e. two sides in a legal dispute 67 pinched tormented
68 mummers actors in a mime
68 set ... flag i.e. declare war
69 bleeding unhealed, unresolved
74 giber joker
74 table dinner table
74 bencher magistrate
77 subjects citizens/topics
77 When even when
80 botcher one who mends old clothes
82 in a cheap even at the lowest
83 Deucalion in Greek mythology, the son of Prometheus; he and his wife were the only survivors of Zeus' great flood 83 peradventure perhaps/probably
26 Ere ... you i.e. before they could prevent you actually becoming consul 137 The ... sight my eyeballs
84 e'en evening, i.e. farewell
88 the moon governed by Diana, Roman goddess of chastity 89 follow your eyes i.e. go eagerly
91 Juno supreme Roman goddess and wife of Jupiter
93 most prosperous approbation great proof of success/great success and acclaim 104 estate endowment
105 make ... at mock dismissively
106 sovereign efficacious, excellent
106 Galen famous Greek physician (an anachronism; Galen lived in the second century) 106 empiricutic empirical/fraudulent
107 to compared with
107 report reputation
107 horse-drench dose of horse medicine
108 wont accustomed
111 a he
113 brows i.e. in the form of a victor's garland 115 disciplined beaten, punished
119 an if
119 'fidiussed i.e. treated as Aufidius was; Menenius playfully coins a word from Aufidius' name 121 possessed aware, informed
124 name of honor, credit for
124 action military enterprise
128 purchasing deserving, winning
130 Pow waw! expression of dismissive scorn (i.e. "Of course they're true!") 136 cicatrices scars
137 place i.e. as a consul
137 repulse driving back/defeat
137 Tarquin the last king of Rome, defeated in about 496 BC
139 One ... nine either an error arising from the desire to outdo Volumnia, or Menenius begins adding up aloud, then does not bother to enumerate the other six wounds as he makes a mental leap to the total 148 nervy sinewy, muscular
149 advanced raised up
149 declines descends
sennet trumpet call signaling a procession
152 to in addition to
153 These ... follows these names, as a mark of honor, are to be followed by 160 prosperity good fortune, success
162 gentle noble, honorable
163 deed-achieving honour honor won by actions
166 gracious delightful/virtuous/full of divine grace 176 light joyful (playing on the sense of "not weighty" to provide antithesis with the literal sense of heavy here signifying "sad") 177 on's of his
180 crab-trees crab-a
pple trees, i.e. the bitter tribunes 181 grafted altered, made to grow (literally, grafted to a superior tree) 181 relish taste
182 We ... folly i.e. some painful or foolish things must be accepted for what they are and cannot be called otherwise 186 Give make
188 shade conceal
191 change of honours new honors (i.e. his new name) 193 inherited realized, acquired
194 fancy imagination
195 wanting lacking
196 cast bestow
199 sway rule
199 state ceremony, formal procession
201 bleared dim, bleary
202 spectacled made clear, given glasses
202 prattling gossiping, chattering
203 rapture fit
204 chats chats about
204 malkin girl, wench
205 lockram linen
205 reechy dirty (picks up aurally on richest)
206 stalls display tables in front of shops
206 bulks frameworks projecting from the fronts of shops, used to display goods 207 leads lead-covered flat roofs
207 ridges roof ridges
207 horsed straddled
208 variable complexions various types of person
208 agreeing in agreement/alike, equal
209 seld-shown seldom-seen
209 flamens priests
210 popular plebeian
210 puff become out of breath
211 vulgar station place among the crowd
212 Commit ... kisses i.e. they raise their veils and risk getting sunburn 212 damask pink
213 nicely gauded skillfully made-up
213 th'wanton spoil the unrestrained destruction/lascivious plundering 214 Phoebus the sun god
214 pother fuss, commotion
215 that ... him whichever god it is that leads Coriolanus 216 powers faculties
216 his human powers i.e. Coriolanus' body 217 graceful posture divine bearing
218 on the sudden suddenly/immediately
218 warrant guarantee/predict
219 office task, function
219 power authority, i.e. term of office 220 He ... end he cannot carry his honors steadily from their beginning to their proper conclusion, i.e. he cannot long maintain his new honors 225 for ... stand whom we represent
226 upon because of
226 ancient long-standing
227 which i.e. which cause
229 As as that
233 napless vesture threadbare garment
235 breaths i.e. voices of support
237 miss it i.e. not be appointed consul
238 carry it but i.e. obtain it other than 243 like likely
244 good wills interest wishes
246 So ... end matters shall end either with his destruction or that of us and our authority (many editors emend authorities to "authority's") 248 suggest hint, insinuate to
249 still always
250 mules i.e. subservient beasts of burden 250 pleaders i.e. the tribunes
251 dispropertied deprived, dispossessed (them of) 252 capacity capability, understanding
254 provand provender, food
259 want be lacking
260 put upon't encouraged, incited to it
263 darken obscure/taint