Monologue

Theseus Monologue from A Midsummer Night's Dream

From A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare

male · philosophical · 1:06 min

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(Reads) ‘The battle with the Centaurs, to be sung By an Athenian eunuch to the harp.’ We’ll none of that. That have I told my love In glory of my kinsman Hercules. ‘The riot of the tipsy Bacchanals, Tearing the Thracian singer in their rage?’ That is an old device, and it was play’d When I from Thebes came last a conqueror. ‘The thrice three Muses mourning for the death Of learning, late deceas’d in beggary.’ That is some satire, keen and critical, Not sorting with a nuptial ceremony. ‘A tedious brief scene of young Pyramus And his love Thisbe; very tragical mirth.’ Merry and tragical? Tedious and brief? That is hot ice and wondrous strange snow. How shall we find the concord of this discord?

About this piece

Theseus reflects on various forms of entertainment that are unsuitable for a wedding celebration, expressing his confusion and disdain for their incongruity.

30s · confusion · identity · performance · love · conflict

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