A side-by-side translation of Act 1, Scene 3 of Coriolanus from the original Shakespeare into modern English.
Original Text |
Translated Text |
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Source: Folger Shakespeare Library | |
Enter Volumnia and Virgilia, mother and wife | Back in Rome, we get to meet Caius Martius' dysfunctional family. His mom (Volumnia) and his wife (Virgilia) are chillaxing with their sewing needles and thread, trying to pass the time while their favorite guy in the world is away. |
VOLUMNIA I pray you, daughter, sing, or express yourself VIRGILIA But had he died in the business, madam, how VOLUMNIA Then his good report should have been my Enter a Gentlewoman. GENTLEWOMAN Madam, the Lady Valeria is come to VIRGILIA VOLUMNIA Indeed you shall not. VIRGILIA VOLUMNIA VIRGILIA VOLUMNIA | Apparently, there's some tension, because the first thing out of Volumnia's mouth is that her daughter-in-law needs to quit boo-hooing about her husband being off at war. Then Volumnia says something icky like "If my son was my husband, I'd be happier when he was out killing enemy soldiers than I'd be if we were having sex." Because that's not creepy at all. See, Volumnia raised her boy to be a killing machine and she wants him to totally crush the Volscians. In fact, she hopes he gets maimed in the process so he can come home and show off his "bloody brow" and some awesome new scars. |
Enter Valeria with an Usher and a Gentlewoman. VALERIA My ladies both, good day to you. | Now Virgilia's BFF, Valeria, shows up. (Don't freak if you're confused by all these "V" names because you're not alone. Literary critics often refer to these female characters as the "three V's.") |
VOLUMNIA Sweet madam. VIRGILIA I am glad to see your Ladyship. VALERIA How do you both? You are manifest housekeepers. VIRGILIA I thank your Ladyship; well, good madam. VOLUMNIA He had rather see the swords and hear a VALERIA O’ my word, the father’s son! I’ll swear ’tis a 60 VOLUMNIA One on ’s father’s moods. VALERIA Indeed, la, ’tis a noble child. 70 | Valeria makes small talk about Virgilia's adorable little boy. He did the cutest thing the other day—he tortured a butterfly before tearing it apart with his teeth. The women are all "How precious! Like father like son." |
VIRGILIA A crack, madam. VALERIA Come, lay aside your stitchery. I must have VIRGILIA No, good madam, I will not out of doors. VALERIA Not out of doors? 75 VOLUMNIA She shall, she shall. VIRGILIA Indeed, no, by your patience. I’ll not over the | Valeria invites the ladies out for the ancient Roman equivalent of "lunch with the girls." Virgilia refuses. She can't bear to leave the house when her beloved hubby is risking life and limb. She'll just stay at home and keep sewing. |
VALERIA Fie, you confine yourself most unreasonably. VIRGILIA I will wish her speedy strength and visit her VOLUMNIA Why, I pray you? VIRGILIA ’Tis not to save labor, nor that I want love. VALERIA You would be another Penelope. Yet they say 85 | Valeria is all "Who do you think you are: Penelope? Brain Snack: Penelope is maybe the most famous wife in literary history. In Homer's Odyssey, she stays at home pretend-weaving while her man is out having an epic adventure. Valeria obviously thinks this is ridiculous. |
VIRGILIA No, good madam, pardon me; indeed, I will 90 VALERIA In truth, la, go with me, and I’ll tell you excellent VIRGILIA O, good madam, there can be none yet. VALERIA Verily, I do not jest with you. There came 95 VIRGILIA Indeed, madam! VALERIA In earnest, it’s true. I heard a senator speak it. | Now Valeria reports that she heard some news about the war—apparently, Caius Martius and Titus Lartius are giving the city of Corioles a good old fashioned Roman beating. Meanwhile, on the battlefields between Rome and Corioles, another general (Cominius) is leading some Roman soldiers against the Volscians. |
VIRGILIA Give me excuse, good madam. I will obey you VOLUMNIA Let her alone, lady. As she is now, she will VALERIA In troth, I think she would.—Fare you well, 110 VIRGILIA No, at a word, madam. Indeed, I must not. I VALERIA Well, then, farewell. Ladies exit. | Virgilia is happy to hear all this but she won't budge. Finally, her mother-in-law and BFF leave without her. |