Monologue

Pandulph Monologue from King John

From King John by William Shakespeare

male · dramatic · 1:08 min

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Your mind is all as youthful as your blood. Now hear me speak with a prophetic spirit; For even the breath of what I mean to speak Shall blow each dust, each straw, each little rub, Out of the path which shall directly lead Thy foot to England’s throne; and therefore mark. John hath seiz’d Arthur; and it cannot be That, whiles warm life plays in that infant’s veins, The misplac’d John should entertain an hour, One minute, nay, one quiet breath of rest. A sceptre snatch’d with an unruly hand Must be boisterously maintain’d as gain’d. And he that stands upon a slipp’ry place Makes nice of no vile hold to stay him up. That John may stand, then, Arthur needs must fall. So be it, for it cannot be but so.

About this piece

Pandulph speaks with urgency and prophetic insight about the political turmoil surrounding King John and the fate of young Arthur, emphasizing the inevitable consequences of ambition and power struggles.

40s · determination · power · betrayal · fate · ambition

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