Monologue

Oswald Monologue from Ghosts: A Domestic Tragedy in Three Acts

From Ghosts: A Domestic Tragedy in Three Acts by Henrik Ibsen

male · anguished · 1:32 min

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Yes, it is so indescribably horrible, you know If only it had been an ordinary mortal disease--. I am not so much afraid of dying; though, of course, I should like to live as long as I can. (Mrs. Alving: Yes, yes, Oswald, you must!) But this is so appallingly horrible. To become like a helpless child again--to have to be fed, to have to be--. Oh, it's unspeakable! (Mrs. Alving: My child has his mother to tend him.) No, never; that is just what I won't endure! I dare not think what it would mean to linger on like that for years--to get old and grey like that. And you might die before I did. (Sits down in MRS. ALVING'S chair.) Because it doesn't necessarily have a fatal end quickly, the doctor said; he called it a kind of softening of the brain--or something of that sort. (Smiles mournfully.) I think that expression sounds so nice. It always makes me think of cherry-coloured velvet curtains--something that is soft to stroke.

About this piece

20s · fear · death · family · isolation · identity

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