Monologue

Stranger Monologue from To Damascus

From To Damascus by August Strindberg

male · philosophical · 1:30 min

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Devil? Yes. But if she's a devil, how can a devil make me desire virtue and goodness? For that's what happened to me when I first saw her beauty; I was seized with a longing to be like her, and so to be worthy of her. To begin with I tried to be by taking exercise, having baths, using cosmetics and wearing good clothes; but I only made myself ridiculous. Then I began from within; I accustomed myself to thinking good thoughts, speaking well of people and acting nobly! And one day, when my outward form had moulded itself on the soul within, I became her likeness, as she said. And it was she who first uttered those wonderful words: I love you! How can a devil ennoble us; how can a spirit of hell fill us with goodness; how...? No, she was an angel! A fallen angel, of course, and her love a broken ray of that great light--that great eternal light--that warms and loves.... That loves....

About this piece

The Stranger reflects on the paradox of being inspired to seek goodness and virtue through the beauty of a woman he perceives as both devilish and angelic, grappling with his own transformation in response to her love.

30s · longing · love · identity · redemption · transformation

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