Please help me with a script to say about Memorizing and Reciting Shakespeare
For this assignment, you will memorize and recite a monologue from The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Background Information
A monologue is a lengthy speech given by a single character. Monologues are spoken to other characters or directly to the audience to communicate a character’s thoughts and emotions. When reciting a monologue, you must understand the content and context of the speech. This involves understanding the character’s motivations and emotions so that you can clearly communicate the appropriate tone to your listener. Furthermore, you should enhance your style with purposeful pauses, emphasis, and changes in volume.
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
by William Shakespeare
Act 3, scene 2
BRUTUS. Be patient till the last.
Romans, countrymen, and lovers! Hear me for my
cause, and be silent, that you may hear. Believe me 15 for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that
you may believe. Censure me in your wisdom, and
awake your senses, that you may the better judge.
If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of
Caesar’s, to him I say that Brutus’ love to Caesar 20 was no less than his. If then that friend demand
why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer:
not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved
Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living, and
die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live 25 all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him.
As he was fortunate, I rejoice at it. As he was
valiant, I honour him. But as he was ambitious, I
slew him. There is tears for his love, joy for his
fortune, honour for his valour, and death for his 30 ambition. Who is here so base that would be a
bondman? If any, speak, for him have I offended.
Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If
any, speak, for him have I offended. Who is here so
vile that will not love his country? If any, speak, 35
for him have I offended. I pause for a reply. . . .
Then none have I offended. I have done no more to
Caesar than you shall do to Brutus. The question of
his death is enrolled in the Capitol: his glory not 40 extenuated, wherein he was worthy, nor his offences
enforced, for which he suffered death. . . .
Here comes his body, mourned by Mark Antony, who,
though he had no hand in his death, shall receive
the benefit of his dying: a place in the 45 commonwealth—as which of you shall not? With this
I depart: that, as I slew my best lover for the
good of Rome, I have the same dagger for myself,
when it shall please my country to need my death. . . .
ANTONY. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interrèd with their bones. 85 So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus
Hath told you Caesar was ambitious.
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath Caesar answered it.
Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest— 90 For Brutus is an honourable man,
So are they all, all honourable men—
Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral.
He was my friend, faithful and just to me.
But Brutus says he was ambitious, 95 And Brutus is an honourable man.
He hath brought many captives home to Rome,
Whose ransoms did the general coffers fill.
Did this in Caesar seem ambitious?
When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. 100 Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,
And Brutus is an honourable man.
You all did see that on the Lupercal
I thrice presented him a kingly crown, 105 Which he did thrice refuse. Was this ambition?
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious,
And sure he is an honourable man.
I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,
But here I am to speak what I do know. 110 You all did love him once, not without cause:
What cause withholds you then to mourn for him?
O judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason. Bear with me.
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, 115 And I must pause till it come back to me.