Monologue

Ulysses Monologue from Troilus and Cressida

From Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare

male · defiant · 1:22 min

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What glory our Achilles shares from Hector, Were he not proud, we all should share with him; But he already is too insolent; And it were better parch in Afric sun Than in the pride and salt scorn of his eyes, Should he scape Hector fair. If he were foil’d, Why, then we do our main opinion crush In taint of our best man. No, make a lott’ry; And, by device, let blockish Ajax draw The sort to fight with Hector. Among ourselves Give him allowance for the better man; For that will physic the great Myrmidon, Who broils in loud applause, and make him fall His crest, that prouder than blue Iris bends. If the dull brainless Ajax come safe off, We’ll dress him up in voices; if he fail, Yet go we under our opinion still That we have better men. But, hit or miss, Our project’s life this shape of sense assumes— Ajax employ’d plucks down Achilles’ plumes.

About this piece

Ulysses contemplates the pride of Achilles and the implications of a potential duel with Hector, strategizing on how to manage the egos of the Greek warriors.

40s · anticipation · honor · power · ambition · jealousy

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