Queen Gorgo quotes from 300 (2007)

Queen Gorgo

Because only Spartan women give birth to real men. [Response to Persian messenger questioning why Spartan women are allowed to address him]

Queen Gorgo

Instead ask yourself: "What should a free man do?"

Queen Gorgo

Come back with your shield ... or on it. [Last words to her husband, Leonidas, before he and the 300 march off to the Hot Gates, reference to the Spartan saying "Εί τάν εί επί τάς" (Doric Greek: "Either it or on it") in reference to the shield]

Queen Gorgo

Your lips can finish what your fingers have started. [Preceding the sex scene]

Queen Gorgo

Councilmen, I stand before you not only as your queen. I come to you as a mother. I come to you as a wife. I come to you as a Spartan woman. I come to you with great humility. I am not here to represent Leonidas – his actions speak louder than my words ever could. I am here for all those voices which cannot be heard: mothers, daughters, fathers, sons – three hundred families that bleed for our rights, and for the very principles this room was built upon. We are at war, gentlemen. We must send the entire Spartan army to aid our king in the preservation of not just ourselves, but of our children. Send the army for the preservation of liberty. Send it for justice. Send it for law and order. Send it for reason. But most importantly, send our army for hope – hope that a king and his men have not been wasted to the pages of history – that their courage bonds us together, that we are made stronger by their actions, and that your choices today reflect their bravery.

Leonidas

Before you speak, Persian, know that in Sparta, everyone, even a king's messenger, are held accountable for the words of his voice. Now, what message do you bring?

Earth and water.
Leonidas (pauses): You rode all the way from Persia for earth and water?

Gorgo

Do not be coy or stupid, Persian. You can afford neither in Sparta.

What makes this woman think she can speak among men?

Gorgo

Because only Spartan women give birth to real men.

Gorgo

So, what does a realist want from his queen?

Theron

I think you know.

Leonidas

It seems, though a slave and captive of lecherous old men, the oracle's words could set fire to all that I love.

Gorgo

So that is why my king loses sleep and is forced from the warmth of his bed? There's only one woman's words that should affect the mood of my husband. Those are mine.

Leonidas

Then what must a king do to save his world, when the very laws he has sworn to protect force him to do nothing?

Gorgo

It is not a question of what a Spartan citizen should do, nor a husband, nor a king. Instead, ask yourself, my dearest love, what should a free man do?

Theron

Beautiful night.

Gorgo

Yes, but I did not ask you here for a small talk, Theron. [grabs her dress and walks with Theron]

Theron

You can be sure of that. You never spared words with me.

Gorgo

Can I offer you something? A drink, perhaps?

Theron

Is it poison?

Gorgo

I'm sorry to disappoint you, it's only water.

Theron

I'm told it's been arranged for you to go before the council.

Gorgo

Yes. I need your help in winning votes to send the army north to our king.

Theron

Yes. I can see it, the two of us standing together. Me, politician. You, warrior. Our voices as one. But why would I want to do that?

Gorgo

It proves you care for a king who right now fights for the very water we drink.

Theron

True. But this is politics, not war. Leonidas is an idealist.

Gorgo

I know your kind too well. You send men to slaughter for your own gain.

Theron

Your husband, our king, has taken 300 of our finest to slaughter. He's broken our laws and left without the council's consent. I'm simply a realist.

Gorgo

You're an opportunist.

Theron

You're as foolish as Leonidas if you think men don't have a price in this world. All men are not created equal. That's the Spartan code, my little queen. [reels from being slapped by Gorgo] I admire your passion. But don't think that you... a woman, even a queen, can walk into the council chamber and sway the minds of men. [coldly] I own that chamber, as if it were built with these hands. [grabs Gorgo by the throat and pins her back into the pillar] I could crush the life out of you right now. [into Gorgo's face] You will go before the council, but your words will fall on deaf ears. Leonidas will receive no reinforcements, and if he returns without my help, he will go to jail or worse. Do you love your Sparta?

Gorgo

Yes.

Theron

And your king?

Gorgo

I do.

Theron

Your husband fights for his land and his love. What do you have to offer in return for my word that I'll help you send our army north?

Gorgo

What does a realist want with his queen?

Theron

I think you know. [pauses; watches in amazement as Gorgo slowly slips off her dress, then he turns her around and pins her against the pillar] This will not be over quickly. [roughly penetrates Gorgo] You will not enjoy this. I am not your king. [begins to rape Gorgo]