For Life, I Prize it As I Weigh Grief
-Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale
The Winter's Tale is one of Shakespeare's final plays usually referred to as a Romance. Although the play has a happy ending, Shakespeare makes his audience go through a messy and tragic journey that allows them to appreciate the ending all the more. Part of the tragedy comes when King Leontes of Sicilia wrongfully accuses his wife Hermione of infidelity and claims the baby she is carrying is illegitimate. Leontes sentences Hermione to death and the monologue we have for you this week is part of her response to him.
This week’s contributor, Brigid Pfeifer, is “passionate about both theatre and education. I’m a big fan of Shakespeare and Hermione is a dream role,” she said. “I picked this monologue because this is where the play shines a light on her perspective and more importantly, her strength. Hermione is accused by her own husband of adultery and suffers many losses including her crown and her children. Though she is not at fault, the odds are against her and is forced to be brought on trial. In this monologue, Hermione finally responds to the charges brought against her. She unveils her feelings towards the matter and the position she’s in. Despite the obstacles, Hermione knows that goodness must prevail in the end.”
BRIGID PFEIFER AS HERMIONE:
THE MONOLOGUE: THE WINTER’S TALE, ACT III SCENE 2, HERMIONE
Since what I am to say must be but that
Which contradicts my accusation and
The testimony on my part no other
But what comes from myself, it shall scarce boot me
To say 'not guilty:' mine integrity
Being counted falsehood, shall, as I express it,
Be so received. But thus: if powers divine
Behold our human actions, as they do,
I doubt not then but innocence shall make
False accusation blush and tyranny
Tremble at patience. You, my lord, best know,
Who least will seem to do so, my past life
Hath been as continent, as chaste, as true,
As I am now unhappy; which is more
Than history can pattern, though devised
And play'd to take spectators. For behold me
A fellow of the royal bed, which owe
A moiety of the throne a great king's daughter,
The mother to a hopeful prince, here standing
To prate and talk for life and honour 'fore
Who please to come and hear. For life, I prize it
As I weigh grief, which I would spare: for honour,
'Tis a derivative from me to mine,
And only that I stand for. I appeal
To your own conscience, sir, before Polixenes
Came to your court, how I was in your grace,
How merited to be so; since he came,
With what encounter so uncurrent I
Have strain'd to appear thus: if one jot beyond
The bound of honour, or in act or will
That way inclining, harden'd be the hearts
Of all that hear me, and my near'st of kin
Cry fie upon my grave!
MORE ABOUT THE MONOLOGUE PROJECT
Our goal for Shakespeare from the Ground’s Monologue Project is to collect a library of Shakespearean monologues to share with our community for virtual entertainment while we are still socially distanced. You don’t need to be a professional actor to participate. If you’re inspired and ready to record, great! If you need help selecting your Shakespeare Monologue or getting it recorded, reach out and we’ll help you get the ball rolling. Are you ready to take to the boards once again…virtually?
