Monologue

Helena Monologue from A Midsummer Night's Dream

From A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

female · anguished · 1:13 min

Rehearse this freeFind more monologues
O spite! O hell! I see you all are bent To set against me for your merriment. If you were civil, and knew courtesy, You would not do me thus much injury. Can you not hate me, as I know you do, But you must join in souls to mock me too? If you were men, as men you are in show, You would not use a gentle lady so; To vow, and swear, and superpraise my parts, When I am sure you hate me with your hearts. You both are rivals, and love Hermia; And now both rivals, to mock Helena. A trim exploit, a manly enterprise, To conjure tears up in a poor maid’s eyes With your derision! None of noble sort Would so offend a virgin, and extort A poor soul’s patience, all to make you sport.

About this piece

Helena confronts her friends who mock her for their amusement, expressing her feelings of betrayal and isolation in the face of their rivalry for love.

teens · anger · jealousy · betrayal · love · isolation

Rehearse Helena's monologue

Run it out loud with a spotlight that follows your voice, line by line, until it's off the page. Free to start, no credit card.

Rehearse freeStart rehearsing

More from A Midsummer Night's Dream

Every speech from A Midsummer Night's Dream, printed in full

Browse