Monologue

Helena Monologue from A Midsummer Night's Dream

From A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

female · anguished · 1:05 min

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O, I am out of breath in this fond chase! The more my prayer, the lesser is my grace. Happy is Hermia, wheresoe’er she lies, For she hath blessèd and attractive eyes. How came her eyes so bright? Not with salt tears. If so, my eyes are oftener wash’d than hers. No, no, I am as ugly as a bear, For beasts that meet me run away for fear: Therefore no marvel though Demetrius Do, as a monster, fly my presence thus. What wicked and dissembling glass of mine Made me compare with Hermia’s sphery eyne? But who is here? Lysander, on the ground! Dead or asleep? I see no blood, no wound. Lysander, if you live, good sir, awake.

About this piece

Helena expresses her feelings of inadequacy and jealousy towards Hermia while searching for Lysander, revealing her emotional turmoil and longing for love.

teens · longing · love · jealousy · identity

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