MAY. I don't understand my feelings. I really don't. I don't understand how I could hate you so much after so much time. How, no matter how I'd like to not hate you, I hate you even more. It grows. I cant see you now. All I see is a picture of you. You and her. I don t even know if the picture's real anymore. I don't even care. It's _a made-up picture. It…
Fool for Love — May's Monologue and Confrontation — Fool for Love
May confronts Eddie, expressing her deep-seated hatred and the torment of an imagined picture of him with another woman. Their volatile conversation escalates as May reveals someone is coming to pick her up, leading to Eddie's jealous outburst and a dramatic return with a shotgun and tequila.
Format: Duologue · Genre: Drama · Source: Fool for Love · Author: Sam Shepard · Characters: MAY, EDDIE
About This Scene
This intense duologue from Sam Shepard's "Fool for Love" presents a volatile confrontation between May and Eddie. The scene opens with May delivering a powerful monologue, expressing a deep-seated hatred and the torment caused by an imagined picture of Eddie with another woman. This emotional outpouring sets the stage for a heated interaction where May reveals she has someone coming to pick her up, igniting Eddie's fierce jealousy and leading to a dramatic exit and subsequent re-entrance with a shotgun and tequila.
Character Analysis
May is a character wrestling with profound and conflicting emotions, articulating a hatred that defies reason despite the passage of time. Her vulnerability is palpable beneath a tough exterior as she confesses to being tormented by an internal image rather than a concrete event, highlighting a deep psychological wound. Eddie, on the other hand, is driven by a possessive and explosive jealousy, quickly escalating from a seemingly restrained demeanor to a violent outburst at the mere suggestion of May moving on.
Why This Works for Auditions
This scene is outstanding for auditions because it provides a clear arc of escalating tension and a wide range of emotional expression for both characters. The initial monologue allows May to showcase vulnerability, anger, and psychological torment, while the subsequent confrontation with Eddie demands sharp, reactive acting and a powerful display of intense emotions. The shift in dynamics from May's confession to Eddie's jealous outburst offers excellent opportunities for actors to demonstrate their ability to navigate complex interpersonal conflict.
Best Suited For
This duologue is exceptionally well-suited for actors aged 25-35 who can embody intense, vulnerable, and tough casting types. It's an excellent choice for drama school auditions, self-tapes, or general practice, particularly for those looking to showcase leading lady or leading man qualities. The contemporary setting and raw emotional content make it ideal for actors who excel at portraying complex, toxic relationships and highly charged confrontations.
Performance Tips
For May, focus on the underlying pain and confusion beneath her expressed hatred; the "monotone" instruction suggests a chilling, almost numb delivery that can quickly give way to raw emotion during the confrontation. For Eddie, a controlled intensity in the initial moments will make his eventual outburst more impactful, demonstrating a simmering anger that quickly boils over into violent possessiveness. Both actors should pay close attention to the rhythm of the dialogue and the shifting power dynamics, allowing the pauses and physical actions (like Eddie's movement and May's subsequent frantic actions) to speak volumes.