Monologue

Duchess Monologue from The Duchess of Padua

From The Duchess of Padua by Oscar Wilde

female · anguished · 2:11 min

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Better for me I had not seen your face. Nay, Guido, listen for a while: Until you came to Padua I lived Wretched indeed, but with no murderous thought, Very submissive to a cruel Lord, Very obedient to unjust commands, As pure I think as any gentle girl Who now would turn in horror from my hands— You came: ah! Guido, the first kindly words I ever heard since I had come from France Were from your lips: well, well, that is no matter. You came, and in the passion of your eyes I read love’s meaning; everything you said Touched my dumb soul to music, so I loved you. And yet I did not tell you of my love. ’Twas you who sought me out, knelt at my feet As I kneel now at yours, and with sweet vows, Whose music seems to linger in my ears, Swore that you loved me, and I trusted you. I think there are many women in the world Who would have tempted you to kill the man. I did not. Yet I know that had I done so, I had not been thus humbled in the dust, But you had loved me very faithfully. I do not think you understand me, Guido: It was for your sake that I wrought this deed Whose horror now chills my young blood to ice, For your sake only. Will you not speak to me? Love me a little: in my girlish life I have been starved for love, and kindliness Has passed me by.

About this piece

The Duchess expresses her deep feelings of love and regret to Guido, revealing the emotional turmoil caused by her actions and her desperate need for affection.

20s · longing · love · betrayal · isolation · redemption

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