Monologue

Butler Monologue from The Death of Wallenstein

From The Death of Wallenstein by Friedrich Schiller

male · defiant · 2:00 min

Rehearse this freeFind more monologues
Be the whole world acquainted with the weakness For which I never can forgive myself, Lieutenant-general! Yes; I have ambition. Ne'er was I able to endure contempt. It stung me to the quick that birth and title Should have more weight than merit has in the army. I would fain not be meaner than my equal, So in an evil hour I let myself Be tempted to that measure. It was folly! But yet so hard a penance it deserved not. It might have been refused; but wherefore barb And venom the refusal with contempt? Why dash to earth and crush with heaviest scorn The gray-haired man, the faithful veteran? Why to the baseness of his parentage Refer him with such cruel roughness, only Because he had a weak hour and forgot himself? But nature gives a sting e'en to the worm Which wanton power treads on in sport and insult. (OCTAVIO: You must have been calumniated. Guess you The enemy who did you this ill service?) Be't who it will--a most low-hearted scoundrel! Some vile court-minion must it be, some Spaniard; Some young squire of some ancient family, In whose light I may stand; some envious knave, Stung to his soul by my fair self-earned honors! (OCTAVIO: But tell me, did the duke approve that measure?) Himself impelled me to it, used his interest In my behalf with all the warmth of friendship.

About this piece

50s · anger · ambition · power · betrayal · honor

Rehearse Butler'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 The Death of Wallenstein