Monologue

Clown Monologue from Twelfth Night

From Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

male · philosophical · 1:41 min

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Wit, and’t be thy will, put me into good fooling! Those wits that think they have thee, do very oft prove fools; and I that am sure I lack thee, may pass for a wise man. For what says Quinapalus? Better a witty fool than a foolish wit. God bless thee, lady! (OLIVIA: Take the fool away.) Do you not hear, fellows? Take away the lady. (OLIVIA: Go to, y’are a dry fool; I’ll no more of you. Besides, you grow dishonest.) Two faults, madonna, that drink and good counsel will amend: for give the dry fool drink, then is the fool not dry; bid the dishonest man mend himself, if he mend, he is no longer dishonest; if he cannot, let the botcher mend him. Anything that’s mended is but patched; virtue that transgresses is but patched with sin, and sin that amends is but patched with virtue. If that this simple syllogism will serve, so; if it will not, what remedy? As there is no true cuckold but calamity, so beauty’s a flower. The lady bade take away the fool, therefore, I say again, take her away.

About this piece

The Clown reflects on the nature of faults and virtues, using humor and wit to convey deeper philosophical insights about human behavior and societal expectations.

any · confusion · identity · redemption · madness · beauty

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