Monologue

Faulkland Monologue from The Rivals

From The Rivals by Richard Brinsley Sheridan

male · romantic · 1:38 min

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They told me Julia would return directly; I wonder she is not yet come! How mean does this captious, unsatisfied temper of mine appear to my cooler judgment! Yet I know not that I indulge it in any other point: but on this one subject, and to this one subject, whom I think I love beyond my life, I am ever ungenerously fretful and madly capricious! I am conscious of it--yet I cannot correct myself! What tender honest joy sparkled in her eyes when we met! how delicate was the warmth of her expression! I was ashamed to appear less happy--though I had come resolved to wear a face of coolness and upbraiding. Sir Anthony's presence prevented my proposed expostulations: yet I must be satisfied that she has not been so very happy in my absence. She is coming! Yes!--I know the nimbleness of her tread, when she thinks her impatient Faulkland counts the moments of her stay. (Enter JULIA.) (JULIA: I had not hoped to see you again so soon.) Could I, Julia, be contented with my first welcome--restrained as we were by the presence of a third person?

About this piece

Faulkland anxiously awaits the return of Julia, reflecting on his own emotional turmoil and the complexities of his feelings for her.

20s · longing · love · jealousy · identity · anticipation

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