Monologue

King John Monologue

From King John by William Shakespeare

male · anguished · 1:15 min

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Hadst thou but shook thy head or made pause When I spake darkly what I purpos’d, Or turn’d an eye of doubt upon my face, As bid me tell my tale in express words, Deep shame had struck me dumb, made me break off, And those thy fears might have wrought fears in me. But thou didst understand me by my signs And didst in signs again parley with sin; Yea, without stop, didst let thy heart consent, And consequently thy rude hand to act The deed which both our tongues held vile to name. Out of my sight, and never see me more! My nobles leave me, and my state is brav’d, Even at my gates, with ranks of foreign powers. Nay, in the body of the fleshly land, This kingdom, this confine of blood and breath, Hostility and civil tumult reigns Between my conscience and my cousin’s death.

About this piece

King John expresses his frustration and betrayal over a perceived lack of support from his allies, as he grapples with the consequences of his actions and the turmoil within his kingdom.

40s · anger · betrayal · power · identity · conflict

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