Monologue

Mycetes Monologue from Tamburlaine

From Tamburlaine by Christopher Marlowe

male · anguished · 1:00 min

Rehearse this freeFind more monologues
Accurs'd be he that first invented war! They knew not, ah, they knew not, simple men, How those were hit by pelting cannon-shot Stand staggering like a quivering aspen-leaf Fearing the force of Boreas' boisterous blasts! In what a lamentable case were I, If nature had not given me wisdom's lore! For kings are clouts that every man shoots at, Our crown the pin that thousands seek to cleave: Therefore in policy I think it good To hide it close; a goodly stratagem, And far from any man that is a fool: So shall not I be known; or if I be, They cannot take away my crown from me. Here will I hide it in this simple hole.

About this piece

Mycetes expresses his deep fear and frustration about the nature of war and the burdens of kingship, contemplating the need to hide his crown to protect himself from the dangers of power.

30s · fear · power · war · identity

Rehearse Mycetes'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 Tamburlaine

Browse