Monologue

Second Murderer Monologue from Richard III

From Richard III by William Shakespeare

male · philosophical · 53 sec

Rehearse this freeFind more monologues
I’ll not meddle with it; it makes a man coward. A man cannot steal but it accuseth him; a man cannot swear but it checks him; a man cannot lie with his neighbour’s wife but it detects him. ’Tis a blushing shamefaced spirit that mutinies in a man’s bosom. It fills a man full of obstacles. It made me once restore a purse of gold that by chance I found. It beggars any man that keeps it. It is turned out of towns and cities for a dangerous thing; and every man that means to live well endeavours to trust to himself and live without it.

About this piece

The Second Murderer reflects on the moral implications of his actions and the nature of guilt, expressing a desire to avoid the cowardice that comes with wrongdoing.

20s · fear · honor · cowardice · self-reliance · moral conflict

Rehearse Second Murderer'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 Richard III

Browse