How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #7
CORIOLANUS
Nay, mother,
Resume that spirit, when you were wont to say
If you had been the wife of Hercules,
Six of his labors you'd have done and saved
Your husband so much sweat. (3.3.19-23)
Coriolanus values the fact that his mother defies typical gender roles. Here, he praises her props for not being afraid to roll up her sleeves and do the kind of "labour" that's typically associated with men. Too bad the play doesn't seem to agree with him.
Quote #8
SICINIUS
Are you mankind?
VOLUMNIA
Ay, fool, is that a shame? Note but this fool.
Was not a man my father? Hadst thou foxship
To banish him that struck more blows for Rome
Than thou hast spoken words? (4.2.24-28)
Not everyone values Volumnia's spirit. When Volumnia speaks her mind to one of the tribunes, Sicinius asks "Are you mankind?" Translation: "Gee, that's not a very ladylike thing to say."
Quote #9
CORIOLANUS
Ladies, you deserve
To have a temple built you. All the swords
in Italy, and her confederate arms,
Could not have made this peace (5.3.213-234)
Here, Coriolanus calls the women peacemakers—but are they? It's true that Volumnia convinced Coriolanus to sign a peace treaty. At the same time, she raised her son to be a killing machine and she's always encouraged Coriolanus to go to war. She doesn't care about peace—but she does care a lot about not dying.