Monologue

First Gentleman Monologue from The Winter's Tale

From The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare

male · contemplative · 1:27 min

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I was by at the opening of the fardel, heard the old shepherd deliver the manner how he found it: whereupon, after a little amazedness, we were all commanded out of the chamber; only this, methought I heard the shepherd say he found the child. (AUTOLYCUS: I would most gladly know the issue of it.) I make a broken delivery of the business; but the changes I perceived in the king and Camillo were very notes of admiration. They seemed almost, with staring on one another, to tear the cases of their eyes. There was speech in their dumbness, language in their very gesture; they looked as they had heard of a world ransomed, or one destroyed. A notable passion of wonder appeared in them; but the wisest beholder, that knew no more but seeing could not say if th’ importance were joy or sorrow; but in the extremity of the one, it must needs be. Here comes a gentleman that happily knows more. Enter a Gentleman. The news, Rogero?

About this piece

The First Gentleman observes a profound change in the king and Camillo, noting their astonishment and the ambiguity of their emotions as they await news from another gentleman.

30s · surprise · wonder · change · uncertainty

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