Conversation Piece - Monday, December 8, 2008
"Oh, come not near me, sir; I shall defile you.
I am that of your blood was taken from you
For your better health. Look no more upon't
But cast it to the ground regardlessly;
Let the common sewer take it from distinction.
Beneath the stars, upon yon meteor
Ever hung my fate, 'mongst things corruptible;
I ne'er could pluck it from him. My loathing
Was prophet to the rest, bu ne'er believed;
Mine honor fell with him, and now my life."
(The Changeling V.iii.158-67)
I am that of your blood was taken from you
For your better health. Look no more upon't
But cast it to the ground regardlessly;
Let the common sewer take it from distinction.
Beneath the stars, upon yon meteor
Ever hung my fate, 'mongst things corruptible;
I ne'er could pluck it from him. My loathing
Was prophet to the rest, bu ne'er believed;
Mine honor fell with him, and now my life."
(The Changeling V.iii.158-67)
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Welcome to the dark side, Martius
Aufidius first takes great pleasure in his union with Coriolanus. Martius approaching Aufidius shows an unprecedented level of humility on Coriolanus' part. His plan also shows the lengths he will go to for strategy's sake. Aufidius' language, certainly intertwining homoeroticism with militancy, demonstrates the closeness these former enemies will experience if they join forces. Aufidius compares the excitement of taking his wife with that of seeing Coriolanus before him. This statement draws comparison to Coriolanus and Aufidius' wife, implying a romantic interest. However, I think Aufidius gains more pleasure from seeing Coriolanus dejected from his own land and willing to work with his enemy than the Volscian leader takes from seeing Coriolanus himself.
