Coriolanus

Coriolanus is a history play by Shakespeare, probably written around 1607-8. The plot is based on a Roman legend related by Plutarch and Livy.

Act II

• Faith, there have been many great men that have flatter'd the people, who ne'er loved them.
  • Second Officer, scene ii.

Act III

• Hear you this Triton of the minnows?
  • Coriolanus, scene i.

• His nature is too noble for the world:
  He would not flatter Neptune for his trident,
  Or Jove for’s power to thunder.
  • Menenius, scene i.

Act IV

• Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as day does night; it's spritely, waking, audible, and full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy; mull'd, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter of more bastard children than war's a destroyer of men.
  • First Servant, scene v.