Monologue

Aslaksen Monologue from An Enemy of the People

From An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen

male · defiant · 1:13 min

Rehearse this freeFind more monologues
Timid? Yes, when it is a question of the local authorities, I am timid, Mr. Billing; it is a lesson I have learned in the school of experience, let me tell you. But try me in higher politics, in matters that concern the government itself, and then see if I am timid. (Billing: No, you aren't, I admit. But this is simply contradicting yourself.) I am a man with a conscience, and that is the whole matter. If you attack the government, you don't do the community any harm, anyway; those fellows pay no attention to attacks, you see—they go on just as they are, in spite of them. But local authorities are different; they can be turned out, and then perhaps you may get an ignorant lot into office who may do irreparable harm to the householders and everybody else.

About this piece

40s · determination · power · community · government · responsibility

Rehearse Aslaksen's monologue

Run it out loud with a spotlight that follows your voice, line by line, until it's off the page. Free to start, no credit card.

Rehearse freeStart rehearsing

More from An Enemy of the People