Coriolanus Vocabulary Quiz

What does “mercy” mean in Volumnia’s plea before Coriolanus?

In the play, the word “patrician” most nearly means what?

What does “meek” mean when Virgilia is described by Valeria?

What does “recompense” mean when Menenius speaks of rewarding service?

In the context of Roman politics, “grievance” means what?

What does “foe” mean in the line “he is our chiefest foe”?

The word “traitor” refers to someone who does what?

What does “humbly” mean when the tribunes ask Coriolanus to speak “humbly” to the people?

What is meant by “cowardice” when contrasted with valor?

What does the word “valor” signify in Coriolanus’s world?

The term “doom” as used near the end of the play most nearly means what?

The term “tribune” in the play describes whom?

When Aufidius calls Coriolanus “a serpent,” what does this metaphor imply?

What is the meaning of “resign” in the political context of the play?

What does “petition” mean when the people ask for food?

The word “consul” in the Roman context refers to what?

What is meant by the term “banish”?

What does “renown” signify in Coriolanus’s speeches?

What does “peril” mean in the line “he ventured his life in peril”?

When Coriolanus speaks of “honor,” what does he most often mean?

What does the word “exile” mean as used in the play?

The word “entreat” as used by Virgilia means what?

The word “audience” in the line “I crave an audience” means what?

What is meant by the word “tumult” when describing the people’s mood?

When Volumnia says “thy honor’s at the stake,” what does “stake” mean?

What does “plebeian” refer to in Coriolanus?

What does “implore” mean when Volumnia begs her son to listen?

What does “mutiny” mean in the context of the Roman crowd?

When Coriolanus is accused of “tyranny,” what does this term mean?

When Coriolanus calls the citizens “scabs,” he uses what type of language?