Monologue

Paris Monologue from Troilus and Cressida

From Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare

male · defiant · 1:06 min

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Sir, I propose not merely to myself The pleasures such a beauty brings with it; But I would have the soil of her fair rape Wip’d off in honourable keeping her. What treason were it to the ransack’d queen, Disgrace to your great worths, and shame to me, Now to deliver her possession up On terms of base compulsion! Can it be, That so degenerate a strain as this Should once set footing in your generous bosoms? There’s not the meanest spirit on our party Without a heart to dare or sword to draw When Helen is defended; nor none so noble Whose life were ill bestow’d or death unfam’d, Where Helen is the subject. Then, I say, Well may we fight for her whom we know well The world’s large spaces cannot parallel.

About this piece

Paris passionately defends his desire to keep Helen, emphasizing the honor in protecting her and the disgrace of yielding to base compulsion amidst the backdrop of war.

20s · determination · honor · love · betrayal · war

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