MRS WARREN: Do you think I was brought up like you—able to pick and choose my own way of life? Do you think I did what I did because I liked it, or thought it right, or wouldn't rather have gone to college and been a lady if I'd had the chance? The only way for a woman to provide for herself decently is for her to be good to some man that can afford to be…
Act II — Mrs Warren's Defense — Mrs Warren's Profession
Mrs Warren passionately defends her life choices to her daughter, Vivie. She explains how the systemic poverty of the Victorian era left her with no choice but to enter the sex trade to survive and provide a better future for her child.
Format: Monologue · Genre: Drama · Source: Mrs Warren's Profession · Author: George Bernard Shaw · Characters: Mrs Warren
About This Scene
This powerful monologue, "Act II — Mrs Warren's Defense," is a pivotal moment from George Bernard Shaw's classic play, Mrs Warren's Profession. In this intense dramatic piece, Mrs. Warren confronts her daughter, Vivie, delivering a fiery and deeply personal justification for her life choices. It's a raw and honest declaration born from necessity, shedding light on the harsh realities and limited options faced by women in an unforgiving societal structure.
Character Analysis
Mrs. Warren is a forceful and resilient character, a survivor who has faced immense hardship and made difficult decisions to secure her future and that of her daughter. She is a matriarch in the truest sense, fiercely protective and unapologetic for the path she forged in a world that offered few alternatives. Beneath her tough exterior lies a deep emotional core, fueled by a desire for respect and understanding, and a profound regret for the innocence she lost.
Why This Works for Auditions
This monologue is an excellent choice for auditions due to its powerful dramatic arc and the complex emotional landscape it allows an actor to explore. It offers a fantastic opportunity to showcase a wide range of emotions, from defiance and anger to vulnerability and a plea for empathy, all within a focused two-minute timeframe. The classical language, while requiring clarity, also provides a rich text for sophisticated performance.
Best Suited For
This monologue is particularly well-suited for female actors aged 45-55 who can embody a character with significant life experience and a strong, unyielding spirit. It's ideal for those casting types seeking a Matriarch, a Tough character, or someone who embodies the working-class struggle and acts as a Rebel against societal norms. It is highly recommended for drama school auditions, agent showcases, and general practice for serious dramatic roles.
Performance Tips
When approaching this monologue, focus on Mrs. Warren's underlying defensiveness and her desperate need to be understood by her daughter. While the tone is powerful, ensure you are not simply shouting; find the rhythm and intensity in Shaw's language, allowing her conviction to build organically. Explore the personal toll her choices have taken, letting moments of regret and weariness emerge beneath her defiant exterior to create a fully dimensional portrayal.