Monologue

Prince Monologue from Romeo and Juliet

From Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

male · defiant · 1:33 min

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Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, Profaners of this neighbour-stained steel,— Will they not hear? What, ho! You men, you beasts, That quench the fire of your pernicious rage With purple fountains issuing from your veins, On pain of torture, from those bloody hands Throw your mistemper’d weapons to the ground And hear the sentence of your moved prince. Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word, By thee, old Capulet, and Montague, Have thrice disturb’d the quiet of our streets, And made Verona’s ancient citizens Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments, To wield old partisans, in hands as old, Canker’d with peace, to part your canker’d hate. If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. For this time all the rest depart away: You, Capulet, shall go along with me, And Montague, come you this afternoon, To know our farther pleasure in this case, To old Free-town, our common judgement-place. Once more, on pain of death, all men depart. (Exeunt Prince and Attendants; Capulet, Lady Capulet, Tybalt, Citizens and Servants.)

About this piece

The Prince confronts the feuding families of Capulet and Montague after a series of violent brawls disrupt the peace of Verona, asserting his authority and demanding an end to the conflict.

40s · anger · power · conflict · authority · peace

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