Monologue

King Richard Monologue from Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Oxford 1911)/Volume 4/The Tragedy of King Richard the Second

From Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Oxford 1911)/Volume 4/The Tragedy of King Richard the Second by Oxford 1911

male · anguished · 1:14 min

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:Alack! why am I sent for to a king :Before I have shook off the regal thoughts :Wherewith I reign'd? I hardly yet have learn'd :To insinuate, flatter, bow, and bend my knee. :Give sorrow leave awhile to tutor me :To this submission. Yet I well remember :The favours of these men: were they not mine? :Did they not sometime cry 'All hail!' to me? :So Judas did to Christ: but he, in twelve, :Found truth in all but one; I, in twelve thousand, none. :God save the King! Will no man say, amen? :Am I both priest and clerk? Well then, amen. :God save the King! although I be not he; :And yet, amen, if heaven do think him me. :To do what service am I sent for hither?

About this piece

King Richard grapples with his loss of power and identity as he prepares to face the consequences of his reign, reflecting on his past relationships and the betrayal he feels.

30s · sadness · identity · power · betrayal · submission

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