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| Character | Talbot | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Adult (36-50), Senior (>50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Angry, Descriptive, Complaining, Reminiscing life story/Telling a story | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Historical, Drama | |
| Description | Talbot describes his time as a prisoner | |
| Location | Act I, scene 4, line 30 | |
Summary
The setting is the Hundred Years War between the English and the French. Talbot, an English general who was captured by the French and held prisoner, has just been freed.
Salisbury, an English soldier, asks Talbot how he escaped the French jail.
In his monologue Talbot explains that the Duke of Bedford exchanged him for a French nobleman. He is angry at the French because they would have been willing to trade him for a man of less importance than the nobleman and he would have preferred to die instead of being "so vile esteem'd". He is also angry at Fastolfe, an English soldier who betrayed him during battle.
He then describes his time as a prisoner of the French. They were all frightened of him and paraded him in an "open market-place". They were so afraid that he could have escaped that they had soldiers guard him even when he slept.
Salisbury, an English soldier, asks Talbot how he escaped the French jail.
In his monologue Talbot explains that the Duke of Bedford exchanged him for a French nobleman. He is angry at the French because they would have been willing to trade him for a man of less importance than the nobleman and he would have preferred to die instead of being "so vile esteem'd". He is also angry at Fastolfe, an English soldier who betrayed him during battle.
He then describes his time as a prisoner of the French. They were all frightened of him and paraded him in an "open market-place". They were so afraid that he could have escaped that they had soldiers guard him even when he slept.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
|---|
| TALBOT The Duke of Bedford had a prisoner Call'd the brave Lord Ponton de Santrailles; For him was I exchanged and ransomed. But with a baser man of arms by far Once in contempt they would have barter'd me: Which I, disdaining, scorn'd; and craved death, Rather than I would be so vile esteem'd. In fine, redeem'd I was as I desired. But, O! the treacherous Fastolfe wounds my heart, Whom with my bare fists I would execute, If I now had him brought into my power. SALISBURY Yet tell'st thou not how thou wert entertain'd. TALBOT With scoffs and scorns and contumelious taunts. In open market-place produced they me, To be a public spectacle to all: Here, said they, is the terror of the French, The scarecrow that affrights our children so. Then broke I from the officers that led me, And with my nails digg'd stones out of the ground, To hurl at the beholders of my shame: My grisly countenance made others fly; None durst come near for fear of sudden death. In iron walls they deem'd me not secure; So great fear of my name 'mongst them was spread, That they supposed I could rend bars of steel, And spurn in pieces posts of adamant: Wherefore a guard of chosen shot I had, That walked about me every minute-while; And if I did but stir out of my bed, Ready they were to shoot me to the heart. |
Comments
The monologue is intercut by Salisbury who asks him how he was treated by the French when he was prisoner. It can also be performed starting from the intercut.
Talbot is very angry and gets emotional when he talks about being betrayed by Fastolfe (But, O! the treacherous Fastolfe....) and wanting to kill him with his bare fists.
In the second part of the monologue he shows contempt towards the French as he describes his experience as a prisoner.
The actor performing it could pause before delivering the line "My grisly countenance made others fly" which should make his audience laugh and should be delivered with a sudden change of tone.
Talbot is very angry and gets emotional when he talks about being betrayed by Fastolfe (But, O! the treacherous Fastolfe....) and wanting to kill him with his bare fists.
In the second part of the monologue he shows contempt towards the French as he describes his experience as a prisoner.
The actor performing it could pause before delivering the line "My grisly countenance made others fly" which should make his audience laugh and should be delivered with a sudden change of tone.
