Original: Now, you companion, I’ll say an errand for you:
Modern: Now, you fellow, let me tell you something important:

Original: You shall know now that I am in estimation; you shall
Modern: You’re about to learn that I’m highly respected; you’ll

Original: perceive that a Jack guardant cannot office me from
Modern: see that a lowly guard can’t keep me away from

Original: my son Coriolanus: guess, but by my entertainment
Modern: my son Coriolanus: just judge by how he receives me

Original: with him, if thou standest not i’ the state of
Modern: and you’ll know whether you’re facing

Original: hanging, or of some death more long in
Modern: hanging, or some death that takes longer to

Original: spectatorship, and crueller in suffering; behold now
Modern: watch, and is more cruel in its pain; watch now

Original: presently, and swoon for what’s to come upon thee.
Modern: and faint from fear of what’s going to happen to you.

Original: The glorious gods sit in hourly synod about thy
Modern: The glorious gods meet every hour to discuss your

Original: particular prosperity, and love thee no worse than
Modern: personal success, and they love you just as much as

Original: thy old father Menenius does! O my son, my son!
Modern: your old father Menenius does! Oh my son, my son!

Original: thou art preparing fire for us; look thee, here’s
Modern: you’re preparing to destroy us with fire; look, here are

Original: water to quench it. I was hardly moved to come to
Modern: tears to put it out. It was hard to persuade me to come to

Original: thee; but being assured none but myself could move
Modern: you; but since I was convinced that only I could persuade

Original: thee, I have been blown out of your gates with
Modern: you, I’ve been forced out of your camp with

Original: sighs; and conjure thee to pardon Rome, and thy
Modern: sighs of grief; and I beg you to forgive Rome, and your

Original: petitionary countrymen. The good gods assuage thy
Modern: countrymen who are pleading with you. May the good gods calm your

Original: wrath, and turn the dregs of it upon this varlet
Modern: anger, and turn the worst of it on this scoundrel

Original: here,—this, who, like a block, hath denied my
Modern: here—this one, who, like a stupid blockhead, has denied my

Original: access to thee.
Modern: access to you.

In Act V, Scene ii of Coriolanus, Menenius arrives at the Volscian camp outside Rome, hoping to persuade his former protégé Coriolanus to spare the city. He encounters two Volscian sentries who initially refuse him entry, mocking his age and dismissing his claims of friendship with Coriolanus. When Menenius finally gains an audience, Coriolanus greets him coldly and formally, addressing him by his surname rather than with the familial warmth they once shared. Coriolanus declares that he no longer recognizes any personal bonds or obligations to Rome or its citizens.

Despite Menenius’s emotional appeals and reminders of their past relationship, Coriolanus remains unmoved and resolute in his intention to destroy Rome. He tells Menenius that he has already dismissed his wife and mother without granting their pleas, making it clear that no Roman will be able to dissuade him from his course of revenge. Coriolanus sends Menenius away with a written safe-conduct but warns him never to return. After Menenius departs, the Volscian guards mock the old Roman’s failure, and Coriolanus reaffirms to his Volscian allies that his former countrymen will find no mercy from him.

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.