"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 | Talbot | |
---|---|---|
Gender | Male | |
Age Range(s) | Adult (36-50), Senior (>50) | |
Type of monologue / Character is | Dying, Descriptive, Lamenting | |
Type | Dramatic | |
Period | Renaissance | |
Genre | Historical, Drama | |
Description | Talbot dies | |
Location | ACT IV, Scene VII |
Summary
The setting is the Hundred Years' War. The English, led by Talbot, are fighting the French, led by Joan of Arc and King Charles. After having conquered the city of Rouen, Talbot leads the English troops to Bordeaux but is surrounded and outnumbered by the French troops at all sides. Among the English soldiers there is John Talbot, Talbot's son, who dies in the battle.
In this monologue, Talbot is dying and describes the battle and his son's courage.
In this monologue, Talbot is dying and describes the battle and his son's courage.
Written by Administrator
Excerpt |
---|
TALBOT Where is my other life? mine own is gone; O, where's young Talbot? where is valiant John? Triumphant death, smear'd with captivity, Young Talbot's valour makes me smile at thee: When he perceived me shrink and on my knee, His bloody sword he brandish'd over me, And, like a hungry lion, did commence Rough deeds of rage and stern impatience; But when my angry guardant stood alone, Tendering my ruin and assail'd of none, Dizzy-eyed fury and great rage of heart Suddenly made him from my side to start Into the clustering battle of the French; And in that sea of blood my boy did drench His over-mounting spirit, and there died, My Icarus, my blossom, in his pride. Servant O, my dear lord, lo, where your son is borne! Enter Soldiers, with the body of JOHN TALBOT TALBOT Thou antic death, which laugh'st us here to scorn, Anon, from thy insulting tyranny, Coupled in bonds of perpetuity, Two Talbots, winged through the lither sky, In thy despite shall 'scape mortality. O, thou, whose wounds become hard-favour'd death, Speak to thy father ere thou yield thy breath! Brave death by speaking, whether he will or no; Imagine him a Frenchman and thy foe. Poor boy! he smiles, methinks, as who should say, Had death been French, then death had died to-day. Come, come and lay him in his father's arms: My spirit can no longer bear these harms. Soldiers, adieu! I have what I would have, Now my old arms are young John Talbot's grave. [Dies] |
Comments
Talbot is dying. The emotion should increase as the monologue progresses and Talbot describes his son's death ("His over-mounting spirit, and there died....") and talks to him, urging him to talk to him for the last time. He dies with John Talbot's body in his arms.