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| Character | Hermione | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Female | |
| Age Range(s) | Young Adult (20-35), Adult (36-50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Persuasive, Depressed, Lamenting | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Period | Renaissance | |
| Genre | Romance, Drama, Comedy | |
| Description | Hermione defends herself in front of the court | |
| Location | ACT III, Scene 2 | |
Summary
Leontes is the king of Sicily. His childhood friend King Polixenes is visiting him from Bohemia. Polixenes is about to go back home and Leontes begs him to stay. Polixenes doesn't change his mind until Hermione, Leonte's wife, persuades him otherwise. Leontes is convinced that his wife is cheating on him with Polixenes and asks his servant Camillo to poison Polixenes. Camillo, however, warns Polixenes and they both flee Sicily. The king considers his escape a proof of his wife's infidelity and orders to arrest her. She is later brought in front of a formal court in order to give her a trial. She is charged with infidelity and is accused of having helped Polixenes and Camillo escape. In this monologue Hermione defends herself saying that she is innocent of the charges.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
|---|
| 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! |
