"Ellen Schoeters is a member of Actorama + where actors can upload a monologue or scene performance for peer review. What do you think of Ellen Schoeters's performance?"
(0 votes)
| Character | Beatrice???? | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Female | |
| Age Range(s) | Young Adult (20-35) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Crying, Depressed, Lamenting, Insecure, Afraid, Talking to the audience | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Year | 1612 | |
| Period | 17th Century | |
| Genre | Romance, Tragedy, Drama | |
| Description | Beatrice is afraid that Alsemero will discover she is no longer a virgin | |
| Location | ACT IV, Scene 1 | |
Summary
The play follows two plot lines. The main regards Beatrice, daughter of Vermandero, the governor of Alicante, and her love for Alsemero. The conflict comes from the fact that her father has betrothed her to a noble lord, Alonzo de Piracquo. She has her servant De Flores, who is in love with her, murder Alonzo. De Flores stabs Alonzo and kills him. After the deed Beatrice offers him money to thank him but De Flores makes clear that he wants more than that, he wants her virginity. He threatens to go public with the murder if she doesn't accept. Eventually they develop a sexual relationship.
In this monologue Beatrice laments the fact that she is being used for sex by De Flores and her fear that her lover might discover that she is no longer a virgin.
In this monologue Beatrice laments the fact that she is being used for sex by De Flores and her fear that her lover might discover that she is no longer a virgin.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
|---|
| BEATRICE This fellow has undone me endlessly; Never was bride so fearfully distress'd. The more I think upon th' ensuing night, And whom I am to cope with in embraces-- One [who's] ennobled both in blood and mind, So clear in understanding, that's my plague now, Before whose judgment will my fault appear Like malefactors' crimes before tribunals, There is no hiding on't--the more I dive Into my own distress. How a wise man Stands for a great calamity! There's no venturing Into his bed, what course soe'er I light upon, Without my shame, which may grow up to danger. He cannot but in justice strangle me As I lie by him, as a cheater use me; 'Tis a precious craft to play with a false die Before a cunning gamester. Here's his closet, The key left in't, and he abroad i' th' park. Sure 'twas forgot; I'll be so bold as look in't. Bless me! A right physician's closet 'tis, Set round with vials, every one her mark too. Sure he does practice physic for his own use, Which may be safely call'd your great man's wisdom. What manuscript lies here? The Book of Experiment, Call'd Secrets in Nature: so 'tis, 'tis so. [Reading] "How to know whether a woman be with child or no." I hope I am not yet; if he should try, though-- Let me see, folio forty-five. Here 'tis, The leaf tuck'd down upon't, the place suspicious. [Reading] "If you would know whether a woman be with child or not, give her two spoonfuls of the white water in glass C." Where's that glass C? Oh, yonder I see't now. [Reading] "And if she be with child, she sleeps full twelve hours after; if not, not." None of that water comes into my belly. I'll know you from a hundred; I could break you now Or turn you into milk, and so beguile The master of the mystery, but I'll look to you. Ha! That which is next, is ten times worse. [Reading] "How to know whether a woman be a maid or not." If that should be apply'd, what would become of me? Belike he has a strong faith of my purity, That never yet made proof; but this he calls [Reading] "A merry slight but true experiment, The author, Antonius Mizaldus. Give the party you suspect the quantity of a spoonful of the water in the glass M, which upon her that is a maid makes three several effects: 'twill make her incontinently gape, then fall into a sudden sneezing, last into a violent laughing; else dull, heavy, and lumpish." Where had I been? I fear it, yet 'tis seven hours to bedtime. |
