Monologue

Tempter Monologue from To Damascus

From To Damascus by August Strindberg

male · anguished · 2:10 min

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Chiefly--perhaps it's a peculiarity of mine--chiefly because--well, you know, a man marries to get a home, to get into a home; and a woman to get out of one. She wanted to get out, and I wanted to get in! I was so made that I couldn't take her into company, because I felt as if she were soiled by men's glances. And in company, my splendid, wonderful wife turned into a little grimacing monkey I couldn't bear the sight of. So I stayed at home; and then, she stayed away. And when I met her again, she'd changed into someone else. She, my pure white notepaper, was scribbled all over; her clear and lovely features changed in imitation of the satyr-like looks of strange men. I could see miniature photographs of bull-fighters and guardsmen in her eyes, and hear the strange accents of strange men in her voice. On our grand piano, on which only the harmonies of the great masters used to be heard, she now played the cabaret songs of strange men; and on our table there lay nothing but the favourite reading of strange men. In a word, my whole existence was on the way to becoming an intellectual concubinage with strange men--and that was contrary to my nature, which has always longed for women! And--I need hardly say this--the tastes of these strange men were always the reverse of mine. She developed a real genius for discovering things I detested! That's what she called 'saving her personality.' Can you understand that?

About this piece

The character reflects on the transformation of his wife and the impact of external influences on their relationship, expressing deep feelings of disgust and betrayal.

30s · disgust · identity · betrayal · isolation · love

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