Original: I would I were a Roman; for I cannot,
Modern: I wish I were a Roman, because I can’t

Original: Being a Volsce, be that I am. Condition!
Modern: be who I truly am while I’m a Volscian. This treaty!

Original: What good condition can a treaty find
Modern: What good terms can a peace agreement have

Original: I’ the part that is at mercy? Five times, CORIOLANUS,
Modern: for the side that’s at the other’s mercy? Five times, Coriolanus,

Original: I have fought with thee: so often hast thou beat me,
Modern: I have fought against you, and you’ve beaten me every time,

Original: And wouldst do so, I think, should we encounter
Modern: And you would keep beating me, I think, if we fought

Original: As often as we eat. By the elements,
Modern: as often as we eat meals. I swear by the gods,

Original: If e’er again I meet him beard to beard,
Modern: if I ever face him man to man again,

Original: He’s mine, or I am his: mine emulation
Modern: either he’ll be mine or I’ll be his. My competitive spirit

Original: Hath not that honour in’t it had; for where
Modern: doesn’t have the honor it once had, because where

Original: I thought to crush him in an equal force,
Modern: I planned to defeat him in fair combat,

Original: True sword to sword, I’ll potch at him some way
Modern: honest sword fighting, now I’ll stab at him somehow

Original: Or wrath or craft may get him.
Modern: using either rage or trickery to get him.

Original: Bolder, though not so subtle. My valour’s poison’d
Modern: He’s braver than me, though not as clever. My courage is poisoned

Original: With only suffering stain by him; for him
Modern: by being stained only through losing to him. Because of him,

Original: Shall fly out of itself: nor sleep nor sanctuary,
Modern: my valor will abandon all restraint. Neither sleep nor sanctuary,

Original: Being naked, sick, nor fane nor Capitol,
Modern: whether he’s defenseless, sick, nor temple nor government building,

Original: The prayers of priests nor times of sacrifice,
Modern: the prayers of priests nor sacred ceremony times,

Original: Embarquements all of fury, shall lift up
Modern: all barriers to my rage, will raise up

Original: Their rotten privilege and custom ‘gainst
Modern: their weak protection and tradition against

Original: My hate to CORIOLANUS: where I find him, were it
Modern: my hatred for Coriolanus. Wherever I find him, even if it’s

Original: At home, upon my brother’s guard, even there,
Modern: at home, under my brother’s protection, even there,

Original: Against the hospitable canon, would I
Modern: against all laws of hospitality, I would

Original: Wash my fierce hand in’s heart. Go you to the city;
Modern: wash my violent hands in his heart’s blood. You go to the city;

Original: Learn how ‘tis held; and what they are that must
Modern: find out how it’s defended, and learn who must

Original: Be hostages for Rome.
Modern: serve as hostages to guarantee Rome’s promises.

In Act I, Scene 6 of “Coriolanus,” the action shifts to the Roman camp near Corioli. Cominius and his Roman forces arrive, having been engaged in battle against the Volscian army led by Aufidius. Cominius reports on the state of the fighting when Martius enters, bloodied and exhausted from his single-handed assault on Corioli. Despite his wounds and fatigue, Martius brings news of the Roman victory within the city walls and urgently requests to join Cominius in the field battle against Aufidius, whom he regards as his greatest enemy and rival.

Cominius expresses concern for Martius’s condition and questions whether he has the strength to continue fighting, but Martius insists he is fit for battle. The soldiers are inspired by Martius’s valor and determination, and Cominius praises his extraordinary courage. Martius dismisses the praise and focuses entirely on his desire to confront Aufidius directly in combat. Cominius agrees to let him join the fight and asks him to choose soldiers to accompany him. Martius selects those who volunteer willingly rather than conscripting unwilling men, and they prepare to march against Aufidius’s forces, with Martius leading the charge despite his bloodied state.

Coriolanus tells the tragic story of a Roman military hero whose pride and contempt for the common people ultimately leads to his downfall. The play opens with Roman citizens rioting over grain shortages, angry at the patrician class’s indifference to their suffering. Caius Marcius, a fierce Roman general, successfully leads the siege against the Volscian city of Corioles, earning the honorary name “Coriolanus.” Despite his military prowess, he openly despises the plebeians (common citizens) and reluctantly agrees to seek the consulship only at his mother Volumnia’s urging.

When Coriolanus runs for consul, he must follow tradition by displaying his war wounds to the citizens and asking for their votes. Though initially successful, the tribunes Brutus and Sicinius manipulate the fickle crowd against him, exploiting his arrogant nature and aristocratic disdain. When Coriolanus explodes in rage against the people’s ingratitude and the democratic process itself, he is banished from Rome. His famous response - “I banish you!” - reveals his wounded pride and inability to bend to political necessity.

In exile, Coriolanus seeks out his former enemy Aufidius, leader of the Volscians, and offers to help destroy Rome in revenge. Together they march on the city with devastating success. As Rome faces imminent destruction, various delegations plead with Coriolanus to spare the city, but he remains unmoved until his mother Volumnia, wife Virgilia, and young son appear before him. In the play’s climactic scene, Volumnia’s emotional appeal finally breaks through his resolve, and he agrees to make peace - knowing this decision will likely cost him his life. True to expectation, Aufidius and his conspirators kill Coriolanus for his “betrayal,” viewing his mercy toward Rome as weakness and treachery to their cause.