I'm looking for some particular monologues from Shakespeare to use in a short film idea.
I need one male and one female monologue, from different plays (neither from Hamlet) that take place before a suicide or tragic event that befalls the character.
Cheers
I recommend reading the whole play once you find a monologue you like. It needs to be grasped and understood, not just recited.
Here is a great Shakespearean monologue one for a woman. I used to use this at auditions when I was acting. It is Hermione from
A Winter's Tale, a tragedy, and she is speaking to her husband the King Leontes who is jealous and suspects her of infidelity. This is from Act III, Scene II, and starts at Line 96, and is very moving:
HERMIONE
Sir, spare your threats:
The bug which you would fright me with I seek.
To me can life be no commodity:
The crown and comfort of my life, your favour,
I do give lost; for I do feel it gone,
But know not how it went. My second joy
And first-fruits of my body, from his presence
I am barr'd, like one infectious. My third comfort
Starr'd most unluckily, is from my breast,
The innocent milk in its most innocent mouth,
Haled out to murder: myself on every post
Proclaimed a strumpet: with immodest hatred
The child-bed privilege denied, which 'longs
To women of all fashion; lastly, hurried
Here to this place, i' the open air, before
I have got strength of limit. Now, my liege,
Tell me what blessings I have here alive,
That I should fear to die? Therefore proceed.
But yet hear this: mistake me not; no life,
I prize it not a straw, but for mine honour,
Which I would free, if I shall be condemn'd
Upon surmises, all proofs sleeping else
But what your jealousies awake, I tell you
'Tis rigor and not law. Your honours all,
I do refer me to the oracle:
Apollo be my judge!
- - - -
Hermione does fall dead soon afterward. Actually, lots of people die in this one. It's very sad.