Monologue

Antonio Monologue from The Merchant of Venice

From The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare

male · anguished · 1:15 min

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But little. I am arm’d and well prepar’d. Give me your hand, Bassanio. Fare you well, Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you, For herein Fortune shows herself more kind Than is her custom: it is still her use To let the wretched man outlive his wealth, To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow An age of poverty, from which ling’ring penance Of such misery doth she cut me off. Commend me to your honourable wife, Tell her the process of Antonio’s end, Say how I lov’d you, speak me fair in death. And when the tale is told, bid her be judge Whether Bassanio had not once a love. Repent but you that you shall lose your friend And he repents not that he pays your debt. For if the Jew do cut but deep enough, I’ll pay it instantly with all my heart.

About this piece

Antonio expresses his resignation to his fate as he prepares for a potentially fatal encounter, reflecting on his love for Bassanio and the nature of their friendship.

30s · sadness · love · death · friendship · sacrifice

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