Shakespearean Monologues?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/9/08 at 9:44pm

Hey. Anyone have any recomendations for good dramatic and comedic Shakespearean monologues? I'm looking for ones that are lesser known -so no Hamlet/Romeo/As You Like It. Any good ideas?

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 1/9/08 at 11:22pm

You could consider one of the Histories (Henry IV Parts I and III, Richard III, King Lear etc.)

What is your age/height?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 7:10pm

I'm 21 - 6'1"

[blissfulbeauty]

Posted: 1/10/08 at 7:30pm

Hope I can help.

Bastard from King John. Try "But wherefore do you droop" V.i. There are lots of good ones, though. Do some lookin'.

Claudio from Measure for Measure. I think it's one of Shakespeare's most beautiful speeches. "Ay, but to die and go we know not where" III.i.

Edmund from King Lear. There are two fantastic speeches in I.ii: "Thou, Nature, art my goddess" and "This is the excellent foppery of the world."

Iago from Othello. SUCH a good piece to really show off realizations and discoveries. "And what's he then that says I play the villain?" II.iii.

Posthumus from Cymbeline. He's a kind of annoying dude, but has good monologues. "Is there no way to be" II.v. or "Yea, bloody cloth, I'll keep thee" V.i.

Good luck!

[exhalemusic]

Posted: 1/11/08 at 1:23am

Good ideas from blissfulbeuty. Iago is a good choice.

If you're still looking though, consider perhaps a monologue from A Midsummer Night's Dream by Puck. He's really mischievous - could be fun. It's a more comedic piece if that's what you're looking for. Here's a link:
http://www.monologuearchive.com/s/shakespeare_024.html

Also although you said you weren't interested in Hamlet, you can chose an insightful monologue while still steering clear of "To be or not to be" (Although I admit this one is also famous...I'll post it anyway for your consideration) http://www.monologuearchive.com/s/shakespeare_002.html