Monologue

Leontes Monologue from The Winter's Tale

From The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare

male · contemplative · 1:02 min

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No, in good earnest. How sometimes nature will betray its folly, Its tenderness, and make itself a pastime To harder bosoms! Looking on the lines Of my boy’s face, methoughts I did recoil Twenty-three years, and saw myself unbreech’d, In my green velvet coat; my dagger muzzled Lest it should bite its master, and so prove, As ornaments oft do, too dangerous. How like, methought, I then was to this kernel, This squash, this gentleman. Mine honest friend, Will you take eggs for money? (MAMILLIUS: No, my lord, I’ll fight.) You will? Why, happy man be ’s dole! My brother, Are you so fond of your young prince as we Do seem to be of ours?

About this piece

Leontes reflects on his past and the innocence of his youth while grappling with feelings of regret and the complexities of fatherhood.

40s · melancholy · identity · family · nostalgia · betrayal

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