Monologue

Duchess Monologue from Richard III

From Richard III by William Shakespeare

female · anguished · 43 sec

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Accursed and unquiet wrangling days, How many of you have mine eyes beheld? My husband lost his life to get the crown, And often up and down my sons were tossed For me to joy and weep their gain and loss. And being seated, and domestic broils Clean over-blown, themselves, the conquerors Make war upon themselves, brother to brother, Blood to blood, self against self. O, preposterous And frantic outrage, end thy damned spleen, Or let me die, to look on earth no more.

About this piece

The Duchess reflects on the turmoil and violence that has plagued her family, mourning the loss of her husband and the strife among her sons, expressing a deep sense of despair over the state of her world.

40s · despair · loss · family · betrayal · power

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