Monologue

Leontes Monologue from The Winter's Tale

From The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare

male · anguished · 58 sec

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You, my lords, Look on her, mark her well. Be but about To say, “she is a goodly lady,” and The justice of your hearts will thereto add “’Tis pity she’s not honest, honourable”: Praise her but for this her without-door form, Which on my faith deserves high speech, and straight The shrug, the hum or ha, these petty brands That calumny doth use—O, I am out, That mercy does; for calumny will sear Virtue itself—these shrugs, these hum’s, and ha’s, When you have said “she’s goodly,” come between, Ere you can say “she’s honest”: but be it known, From him that has most cause to grieve it should be, She’s an adultress!

About this piece

Leontes, consumed by jealousy, confronts his lords about his suspicions regarding his wife's fidelity, expressing his anguish and anger over perceived betrayal.

30s · anger · jealousy · betrayal · honor · virtue

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