Monologue

Polixenes Monologue from The Winter's Tale

From The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare

male · anguished · 1:28 min

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As thou lov’st me, Camillo, wipe not out the rest of thy services by leaving me now: the need I have of thee, thine own goodness hath made; better not to have had thee than thus to want thee. Thou, having made me businesses which none without thee can sufficiently manage, must either stay to execute them thyself, or take away with thee the very services thou hast done, which if I have not enough considered (as too much I cannot) to be more thankful to thee shall be my study; and my profit therein the heaping friendships. Of that fatal country Sicilia, prithee speak no more; whose very naming punishes me with the remembrance of that penitent, as thou call’st him, and reconciled king, my brother; whose loss of his most precious queen and children are even now to be afresh lamented. Say to me, when sawest thou the Prince Florizel, my son? Kings are no less unhappy, their issue not being gracious, than they are in losing them when they have approved their virtues.

About this piece

Polixenes expresses his deep sorrow over the loss of his friend and the state of his family, revealing his emotional turmoil and the burden of his responsibilities.

40s · sadness · family · loss · friendship · regret

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