Coriolanus Banished: You Common Cry of Curs

Taken from William Shakespeare's classical tragedy, this intense monologue captures the dramatic climax where Caius Marcius Coriolanus is banished from Rome by the tribunes and commoners. Rather than bowing to the sentence or pleading for clemency, the decorated Roman general responds with blistering contempt and unyielding defiance. He inverts his exile by turning his back on the city that rejected him, determining to find a new path on his own terms.

Coriolanus is an authoritative Roman general governed by fierce pride, martial honor, and an uncompromising nature. Faced with what he perceives as cowardice and betrayal from the populace, his wounded stature transforms into icy scorn rather than sorrow. He refuses to flatter the crowd or disguise his genuine feelings, holding himself above the political machinations of the city. His sense of identity is entirely rooted in absolute power and personal integrity.

Clocking in at approximately one minute, this piece delivers concentrated emotional heat without overstaying its welcome in an audition room. The text provides an ideal showcase for an actor's breath support, classical verse technique, and capacity for sustaining raw intensity. It demonstrates that you can command an entire stage alone, channeling explosive anger into articulate, deliberate choices that grab the attention of any panel.

This selection is suitable for drama school auditions, performance competitions, and serious general practice sessions. It is tailored for male performers in the thirty-five to forty-five age range who naturally align with intense leading man or authority figure casting types. Actors seeking to prove they can handle monumental classical roles with gravitas, strength, and sharp dramatic focus will benefit greatly from preparing this text.

Resist the urge to play generalized rage, which can easily muddle the text and exhaust your vocal range. Anchor the speech in genuine contempt and steady stillness, letting the natural architecture of Shakespeare's verse carry the weight of your defiance. Maintain the posture and focus of an undefeated military officer who looks down upon his accusers. Ensure that your final gesture of departure conveys unwavering conviction rather than petty defeat.