Monologue

Captain Monologue from The Father

From The Father by August Strindberg

male · anguished · 1:50 min

Rehearse this freeFind more monologues
What use is that when you have often said that a mother can and ought to commit any crime for her child? I implore you as a wounded man begs for a death blow, to tell me all. Don't you see I'm as helpless as a child? Don't you hear me complaining as to a mother? Won't you forget that I am a man, that I am a soldier who can tame men and beasts with a word? Like a sick man I only ask for compassion. I lay down the tokens of my power and implore you to have mercy on my life. (Laura approaches him and lays her hand on his brow.) (LAURA: What! You are crying, man!) Yes, I am crying although I am a man. But has not a man eyes! Has not a man hands, limbs, senses, thoughts, passions? Is he not fed with the wine food, hurt by the same weapons, warmed and cooled by the same summer and winter as a woman? If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? And if you poison us, do we not die? Why shouldn't a man complain, a soldier weep? Because it is unmanly? Why is it unmanly?

About this piece

The Captain, feeling vulnerable and powerless, pleads for compassion and understanding from a maternal figure, revealing his inner turmoil and desperation.

40s · despair · power · family · compassion · identity

Rehearse Captain'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 Father

Browse