Violent, Are We?

From Tony Morphett's contemporary play *I've Come About the Assassination*, this intense dramatic monologue features a young man directly challenging his father. He confronts the hypocrisy of older generations who condemn youthful aggression while having orchestrated catastrophic wars and nuclear devastation throughout history. Driven by deep disillusionment, he rationalizes his choice to commit an assassination as an assertion of personal agency rather than obedience to the state.

The Young Man is a fierce, articulate outsider consumed by rebellion and existential nihilism. Rather than acting out of thoughtless hostility, he possesses an acute political awareness that fuels his resentment toward the moral authority of older generations. He is desperate to seize control of his own destiny in an unstable world, convincing himself that individual violence is the only authentic action left to him.

Clocking in at approximately two minutes, this monologue provides a compact, high-stakes demonstration of sustained vocal energy and emotional control. Because the speaker is actively interrogating an immediate scene partner, the delivery remains urgent, conversational, and direct rather than reflective. The speech lets auditors evaluate an actor's capacity to handle moral complexity, sharp rhetorical rhythm, and raw dramatic presence without resorting to melodramatic shouting.

This selection is tailor-made for male actors aged eighteen to twenty-five who play rebel, outsider, or anti-hero casting types. It is an exceptional choice for drama school auditions, industry showcases, self-tapes, and monologues for competition. Performers looking to showcase maturity, ideological passion, and an edge of menace will find this material especially compelling.

Resist the temptation to play generalized fury across the entire monologue, as an uninterrupted roar will quickly exhaust the audience. Ground the delivery by treating your father as an active, listening target and use each pointed question to provoke a reaction. Allow the intellectual logic of your argument to drive your vocal rhythm, letting the profound fear of impending annihilation peek through the defiant bravado.