Browse Scenes

Disguised as the youth Ganymede, Rosalind delivers a sharp-witted rebuke to the shepherdess Phoebe for her cruel treatment of the devoted Silvius. She humbles Phoebe's vanity by critiquing her appearance and urges her to accept a good man's love while she has the chance.

Orlando expresses his deep resentment toward his eldest brother, Oliver, who has neglected his education and treated him no better than a farm animal. He confides in the loyal servant Adam, declaring that he can no longer endure this indignity and feels his father's spirit prompting him to revolt.

Young Clifford discovers the dead body of his father on the battlefield of St. Albans. Consumed by grief and fury, he renounces all sense of pity and vows a brutal, indiscriminate revenge against the House of York.

Helena laments the fickle nature of love and her unrequited feelings for Demetrius, who has fallen for her friend Hermia. She decides to betray Hermia's secret flight to Demetrius in a desperate attempt to win his attention, even if it only brings her more pain.

Helena kneels before the Countess to confess her secret and unrequited love for the Countess's son, Bertram. She articulates the purity of her devotion despite the social disparity between them, likening her hopeless adoration to a religious ritual.

After overhearing his friends discuss Beatrice's secret love for him, the formerly cynical Benedick undergoes a sudden and comedic transformation. He rationalizes his previous disdain for marriage and resolves to return her affections, convincing himself that his change of heart is a noble necessity.

Phoebe attempts to convince Silvius (and herself) that she is not in love with the disguised Rosalind, despite her detailed and obsessive physical description of the youth. She oscillates between criticism and admiration before deciding to send a 'taunting' letter to mask her true attraction.

Claudio expresses his visceral and overwhelming terror of death to his sister, Isabella. He vividly imagines the physical decay of the body and the potential spiritual torments of the afterlife, concluding that even the most miserable life is preferable to the unknown horrors of the grave.

Trinculo, a jester, wanders a strange island seeking shelter from an approaching storm. He discovers the prostrate form of Caliban and, after debating whether the creature is a man or a fish, decides to hide under Caliban's cloak to escape the rain.

Viola realizes that Olivia has fallen in love with her male disguise, Cesario, after being sent a ring under false pretenses. She reflects on the complications of her deception and the messy love triangle involving herself, Olivia, and Duke Orsino.

Othello stands over the sleeping Desdemona, grappling with his internal conflict before he murders her. He contemplates her beauty and the finality of death, convincing himself that her execution is a necessary act of justice.

Brutus wanders his orchard at night, struggling with the moral dilemma of assassinating Caesar. He concludes that while Caesar hasn't yet abused his power, the potential for tyranny once he is crowned justifies killing him before he becomes a threat.

King Lear, having been cast out by his daughters, wanders into a violent storm. He rages against the elements, demanding that the weather destroy the world and the 'ingrateful' nature of humanity.

Juliet impatiently awaits the arrival of her new husband, Romeo, for their wedding night. She delivers a poetic soliloquy invoking the night to come quickly and hide their tryst before being interrupted by the Nurse.

Prince Hamlet contemplates the nature of existence, the pain of life, and the fear of the unknown in death. This philosophical soliloquy explores the tension between action and the paralysis caused by over-analysis.

Helena laments the unrequited nature of her love for Demetrius and his obsession with Hermia. She reflects on the irrationality of love before deciding to betray Hermia's secret flight to Demetrius in hopes of gaining his attention.

Following the news of his wife's death, Macbeth delivers a nihilistic meditation on the meaninglessness of life and the relentless passage of time. He compares human existence to a brief candle and a poor actor who leaves no lasting mark.

Jaques delivers a cynical yet profound meditation on the seven stages of human life, from infancy to old age and eventual death. He compares the world to a theater where every individual is merely an actor playing a sequence of roles.

Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, delivers the opening soliloquy of the play, expressing his bitterness toward the peacetime following the Wars of the Roses. He details his physical deformities and reveals his calculated decision to become a villain to seize power.

Prince Hamlet contemplates the nature of existence, the pain of life, and the fear of the unknown in death. This philosophical soliloquy explores the tension between enduring suffering and seeking an end to it through suicide.

Mark Antony realizes his fleet has surrendered to Caesar and believes Cleopatra has betrayed him. In a fit of rage and despair, he laments the loss of his power and the perceived treachery of the woman he loved.