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Coriolanus

By William Shakespeare - Stage play

Stage playStageACT II, Scene 1

Roles

  • Menenius - Adult (36-50), Male

About this piece

Menenius acknowledges his shortcomings

Summary

The play is set in the city of Rome and is based on the legendary Roman general Gaius Martius Coriolanus. In the first scene of the play Caius Martius and several Roman rulers have to deal with a riot of the common people that are protesting because of a shortage of grain. A war soon breaks out between Rome and a neighboring tribe, the Volscians, led by Tullus Aufidius. After a hard battle, Gaius Martius manages to conquer the Volscian's city or Corioles and, having fought with valor, is given the nickname "Coriolanus" because of that. In the first scene of ACT II we find two tribunes, Brutus and Sicinius, criticizing Gaius Martius because his disregard for the common people. When Gaius Martius' friend, Menenius, defends him, they start criticizing him for his shortcomings as a polititian. In this monologue Menenius acknowledges his shortcomings and at the same time mocks the two tribunes.

Tone

AngryScoldingDescriptiveMocking

Use cases

classaudition
View on Actorama

Library metadata only. SceneFiend never includes script text here - pick up the published version to rehearse.

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