Shakespeare's Monologues
Shakespeare's Monologues
Claudio is a reliant brother to Isabella, and relies on her more than given laws and regulations. He puts on a strong face but when faced with adversity he reveals his fear and cowardice.
Claudio begins to realize the fear of death and imagines the afterlife. He is completely terrified and goes against his word on the ultimatum of Isabella's virginity. Its either Claudio's freedom and Isabella's sacrifice, or death. This is potentially Claudio's final moments.
Character description, monologue synopsis, and monologue scoring provided by a student in the Spring 2019 THT 352 class. This student chose to remain anonymous.
Ay, but to die, and go we know not where;
To lie in cold obstruction and to rot;
This sensible warm motion to become
A kneaded clod; and the delighted spirit
To bathe in fiery floods, or to reside
In thrilling region of thick-ribbed ice;
To be imprison'd in the viewless winds,
And blown with restless violence round about
The pendent world; or to be worse than worst
Of those that lawless and incertain thought
Imagine howling: 'tis too horrible!
The weariest and most loathed worldly life
That age, ache, penury and imprisonment
Can lay on nature is a paradise
To what we fear of death.
| Number of Syllables | Scored Text | Meaning of Beat |
| 10 | Ay but to die, and go we know not where; | Beat 1, to worriedly wonder |
| 10 | To lie in cold obstruction, and to rot; | |
| 10 | This sensible, warm motion to become | |
| 11 | A kneaded clod; and the delighted spirit | |
| 10 | To bath in fiery floods, or to reside | |
| 9 | In thrilling region of thick-ribbed ice; | |
| 10 | To be imprison'd in the viewless winds | |
| 10 | And blown with restless violence round about | |
| 10 | The pendent world: or to be worse than worst | End of Beat 1 |
| 10 | Imagine howling - 'tis too horrible! | Beat 2, to express grievances |
| 11 | The weariest and most loathed worldly life | |
| 11 | That age, ache, penury and imprisonment | |
| 10 | Can lay on nature is a paradise | |
| 6 | To what we fear of death | End of Beat 2 |
Definitions from David & Ben Crystal / Shakespeare's Words are under copyright, and may not be used without their express permission. All other definitions are from sources in the public domain.
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