Monologue

Petkoff Monologue from Arms and the Man

From Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw

male · comedic · 1:01 min

Rehearse this freeFind more monologues
(over his coffee and cigaret). I don’t believe in going too far with these modern customs. All this washing can’t be good for the health: it’s not natural. There was an Englishman at Phillipopolis who used to wet himself all over with cold water every morning when he got up. Disgusting! It all comes from the English: their climate makes them so dirty that they have to be perpetually washing themselves. Look at my father: he never had a bath in his life; and he lived to be ninety-eight, the healthiest man in Bulgaria. I don’t mind a good wash once a week to keep up my position; but once a day is carrying the thing to a ridiculous extreme.

About this piece

Petkoff expresses his disdain for modern hygiene practices, reflecting on cultural differences and his own upbringing in Bulgaria.

40s · disgust · identity · cultural differences · health · social norms

Rehearse Petkoff'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 Arms and the Man

Browse