Monologue

Peter Stockmann Monologue from An Enemy of the People

From An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen

male · defiant · 1:30 min

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Oh, the public doesn't require any new ideas. The public is best served by the good, old established ideas it already has. (Dr. Stockmann: And that is your honest opinion?) Yes, and for once I must talk frankly to you. Hitherto I have tried to avoid doing so, because I know how irritable you are; but now I must tell you the truth, Thomas. You have no conception what an amount of harm you do yourself by your impetuosity. You complain of the authorities, you even complain of the government—you are always pulling them to pieces; you insist that you have been neglected and persecuted. But what else can such a cantankerous man as you expect? (Dr. Stockmann: What next! Cantankerous, am I?) Yes, Thomas, you are an extremely cantankerous man to work with—I know that to my cost. You disregard everything that you ought to have consideration for. You seem completely to forget that it is me you have to thank for your appointment here as medical officer to the Baths.

About this piece

40s · anger · power · conflict · identity · authority

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