Monologue

Prior Monologue from To Damascus

From To Damascus by August Strindberg

male · anguished · 1:13 min

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Yes. Those events that caused you such mental torture happened in 1857, but at Christmas 1856, that is the year before, you tore a copy of that book and out of fear of punishment hid it under a chest in the kitchen. (The STRANGER is taken aback.) The wardrobe was painted in oak graining, and clothes hung in its upper part, whilst shoes stood below. This wardrobe seemed enormously big to you, for you were a small child, and you couldn't imagine it could ever be moved; but during spring cleaning at Easter what was hidden was brought to light. Fear drove you to put the blame on a schoolfellow. And now he had to endure torture, because appearances were against him, for you were thought to be trustworthy. After this the history of your sorrows comes as a logical sequence. You accept this logic?

About this piece

The character reflects on a traumatic childhood event involving guilt and fear, revealing the psychological impact of past actions and the burden of responsibility.

child · fear · guilt · childhood · betrayal

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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.

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