Monologue

Tempter Monologue from To Damascus

From To Damascus by August Strindberg

male · anguished · 1:27 min

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The case must first be heard. (Pause.) I'd reached my eighteenth year--it's Florian speaking--and my thoughts, as I grew up under my mother's watchful eye, were pure; and my heart without deceit, for I'd never seen or heard anything wicked. Then I--Florian, that is--met a young girl who seemed to me the most beautiful creature I'd ever set eyes on in this wicked world, for she was goodness itself. I offered her my hand, my heart, and my future. She accepted everything and swore that she'd be true. I was to serve five years for my Rachel--and I did serve, collecting one straw after another for the little nest we were going to build. My whole life was centred on the love of this woman! As I was true to her myself, I never mistrusted her. By the fifth year I'd built the hut and collected our household goods... when I discovered she'd been playing with me and had deceived me with at least three men....

About this piece

The character reflects on his youthful innocence and the painful realization of betrayal by the woman he loved, revealing the contrast between his pure intentions and her deceit.

20s · sadness · love · betrayal · trust · deception

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