Reading Coriolanus today. Great election year reading. Scene 2.3, in which Coriolanus must don the "gown of humility" and make nice with the citizens is perfect. The Senate has offered Coriolanus the consulship after he beats down the city of Corioles. He needs the endorsement of the tribunes who represent the people. As a token of courtesy toward the people, he must put on loose gown and walk out in public, so that citizens can approach him and shake his hand and look at his battle scars. Coriolanus, an unrepentant elitist, despises the whole charade and can't even pretend to be civil to the proles. He insults them and, under the sway of the tribunes, they turn against him. I just hope the same thing doesn't happen to John Kerry.