CALLBACK MONOLOGUE 1 Julius (Romeo & Juliet)

SITUATION: Julius, a young man, is finding himself in love with Romeo, a young man who he just met at a party. Now, that young man has appeared outside Julius’ bedroom window.

JULIUS Dost thou love me?

I know thou wilt say 'Ay,'and I will take thy word.

Yet if thou swear'st, thhou mayst prove false.

At lovers' perjuries they say, Jove laughs.

O gentle Romeo, if thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully.

Or if thou think'st I am too quickly won, I'll frown and be perverse and say thee nay, So thou wilt woo.

In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond, And therefore thou mayst think my 'havior light.

But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more true Than those that have more cunning to be strange.

I should have been more strange, I must confess, But that thou overheard'st, ere I was ware, My true love's passion.

Therefore pardon me, And not impute this yielding to light love.

CALLBACK MONOLOGUE 2 Portia ()

Situation: The speaker is an ailing man who is addressing his wife. She is a powerful political figure, and appears distressed by a secret agitation.

You have ungently stole from our bed: and yesternight, at supper, You suddenly arose, and walk'd about, Musing and sighing, with your arms across.

And when I ask'd you what the matter was, You too impatiently stamp'd with your foot. And with an angry wafture of your hand, Gave sign for me to leave you. so I did.

This affliction will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep, And could it work so much upon your shape As it hath much prevail'd on your condition, I should not know you.

Dearest wife, make me acquainted with your cause of grief.

CALLBACK MONOLOGUE 3 Emilia (The Two Noble Kinsmen)

SITUATION: A young woman remembers a friend who has died. The love she felt for her friend leaves her unable to love any man.

EMILIA: I was acquainted once with a time when I enjoyed a playfellow.

She was too young when she the grave enriched, Who made too proud the bed.

I and she were things innocent, But we each other loved.

What she liked, was then of me approved, what not, condemned.

The flower that I would pluck and put between my breasts— O, then but beginning to swell about the blossom— she would seek till she had such another, and commit it to the like innocent cradle, where, Phoenix-like, they died in perfume.

Her clothing—pretty, Though haply hers careless were— I followed for my most serious decking.

Had mine ear stol’n some new tune, or perhaps hummed one From musical coinage, why, it was a song whereon her spirits would dwell— And sing it in her slumbers.

This story has this end, That the true love ’tween maid and maid may be More than this of different sex.

I shall never—Love any that’s called man. I am sure I shall not.

CALLBACK MONOLOGUE 4 Margaret (Henry VI, Part 3)

Situation: Margaret has just learned that her husband has made a deal with his enemies. They will allow him to remain king until he dies, but afterwards, his son will not become king.

Ah, wretched man!

Would I had died a maid and never seen thee, never borne thee son, Seeing thou hast proved so unnatural a father.

Hath thy son deserved to lose his birthright thus?

Hadst thou but loved him half so well as I, Or felt that pain which I did for him once, Or nourish'd him as I did with my blood, Thou wouldst have left thy dearest heart-blood there, Rather than have disinherited thine only son.

CALLBACK MONOLOGUE 5 Lord Capulet (Romeo and Juliet)

Situation: Lord Capulet has arranged a marriage between his daughter, Juliet, and a rich young man, Paris. Juliet has just informed her father that she does not wish to marry Paris.

CAPULET God's bread! it makes me mad: Day, night, hour, tide, time, work, play, Alone, in company, still my care hath been To have you match'd: and having now provided A gentleman of noble parentage, Of fair demesnes, youthful, and nobly train'd, Stuff'd, as they say, with honourable parts, Proportion'd as one's thought would wish a man; And then to have a wretched puling fool, To answer 'I'll not wed; I cannot love; I pray you, pardon me.' But, as you will not wed, I'll pardon you: Graze where you will you shall not house with me: Look to't, think on't, I do not use to jest. Thursday is near; lay hand on heart, advise: An you be mine, I'll give you to my friend; And you be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets, For, by my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge thee, Nor what is mine shall never do thee good: Trust to't, bethink you; I'll not be forsworn.

CALLBACK MONOLOGUE 6 Decius Brutus (Julius Caesar)

Situation: Decius is in on a plot to assassinate Caesar. Decius has just arrived at the home of Caesar to escort Caesar to the Senate where the assassination is to occur. Caesar has decided not to go out today because Calpurnia, Caesar’s wife, has had an ominous dream warning of great danger if Caesar should leave the house. Decius must convince Caesar that the dream is a sign of good things to come.

DECIUS. This dream is all amiss interpreted; It was a vision fair and fortunate. Your statue spouting blood in many pipes, In which so many smiling Romans bathed, Signifies that from you great shall suck Reviving blood. This by Calpurnia's dream is signified. And know it now, the Senate have concluded To give this day a crown to mighty Caesar. If you shall send them word you will not come, Their minds may change. Besides, it were a mock Apt to be render'd, for someone to say "Break up the Senate till another time, When Caesar's wife shall meet with better dreams." If Caesar hide, shall they not whisper "Lo, Caesar is afraid"? Pardon me, Caesar, for my dear dear love To your advancement bids me tell you this, And reason to my love is liable.

CALLBACK MONOLOGUE 7 Narrator

William Shakespeare: the most produced playwright in the history of the world. His insights into the human condition have resonated with global audiences for over four centuries.

But like most playwrights, Shakespeare’s plays are heavily influenced by the culture of the time in which his plays were written . Words like “homosexual,” “lesbian,” and “bisexual” did not exist in Elizabethan language. And sexual encounters between same-sex couples were illegal and societally scorned. So, although gay love certainly existed in Elizabethan England it was most like camouflaged. So, some of Shakespeare’s plays, such as As You Like It and Twelfth Night, derive amusement from some such flirtations. And most of Shakespeare’s sonnets are written to his “lovely boy,” It is not a great stretch to imagine a sexual yearning in those sonnets.

CALLBACK MONOLOGUE 8 Prince Henry (Henry IV, Part 1)

PRINCE HENRY I know you all, and will awhile uphold The unyoked humor of your idleness: Yet herein will I imitate the sun, Who doth permit the base contagious clouds To smother up her beauty from the world, That, when she please again to be herself, Being wanted, she may be more wonder'd at, By breaking through the foul and ugly mists Of vapors that did seem to strangle her. If all the year were playing holidays, To sport would be as tedious as to work; But when they seldom come, they wish'd for come, And nothing pleaseth but rare accidents.

CALLBACK SCENE A Romeo & Julius (Romeo & Juliet)

Situation: Two teenage boys, from feuding families, have met at a party. It was love at first sight. Later the same night, Romeo has shown up in Julius’ backyard to confess his love for Julius.

JULIUS: Dost thou love me?

ROMEO: By yonder blessed moon I swear--

JULIUS: O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circled orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.

ROMEO: What shall I swear by?

JULIUS: Do not swear at all; Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, Which is the god of my idolatry, And I'll believe thee.

ROMEO: If my heart's dear love—

JULIUS: Well, do not swear: although I joy in thee, I have no joy of this contract to-night: It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden; Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be Ere one can say 'It lightens.' Sweet, good night!

ROMEO: O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?

JULIUS: What satisfaction canst thou have to-night?

ROMEO: The exchange of thy love's faithful vow for mine.

JULIUS: I gave thee mine before thou didst request it: And yet I would it were to give again.

ROMEO: Wouldst thou withdraw it? for what purpose, love?

JULIUS: But to be frank, and give it thee again. And yet I wish but for the thing I have: My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite. Nurse calls within I hear some noise within; dear love, adieu! Stay but a little, I will come again. Exit, above ROMEO O blessed, blessed night! I am afeard. Being in night, all this is but a dream, Too flattering-sweet to be substantial.

CALLBACK SCENE B Miranda and Fernanda (The Tempest)

Situation: Miranda has grown up on a remote island. The only human she has ever known is her father, Prospero. Due to a shipwreck, Fernanda has washed ashore. The two young women were immediately smitten with each other. Fernanda has been taken captive by Prospero and forced to haul logs.

MIRANDA: You look wearily.

FERNANDA: No, noble mistress; 'tis fresh morning with me When you are by at night. I do beseech you-- What is your name?

MIRANDA: Miranda.--

FERNANDA: Admired Miranda! Indeed the top of admiration!

MIRANDA: I do not know one of my sex; no woman's face remember, Save, from my glass, mine own. How features are abroad,I am skilless of. But, I would not wish any companion in the world but you. But I prattle something too wildly.

FERNANDA: Hear my soul speak: The very instant that I saw you, did my heart fly to your service; There resides, to make me slave to it; and for your sake am I this patient log--bearer.

MIRANDA: Do you love me?

FERNANDA: O heaven, O earth, bear witness to this sound! I beyond all limit of what else i' the world Do love, prize, honour you.

MIRANDA: I am a fool to weep at what I am glad of.

FERNANDA: Wherefore weep you?

MIRANDA: At mine unworthiness. But hence, bashful cunning! I am your wife, if you will marry me; If not, I'll die your maid: to be your fellow You may deny me; but I'll be your servant, Whether you will or no.

FERNANDA: My mistress, dearest; And I thus humble ever.

MIRANDA: My husband, then?

FERNANDA: Ay, with a heart as willing as bondage e'er of freedom: here's my hand.

MIRANDA: And mine, with my heart in't. And now farewell till half an hour hence.

FERNANDA: A thousand thousand!

CALLBACK SCENE C Calpurnia & Caesar (Julius Caesar)

Situation: Caesar is a powerful female politician who is preparing to go to the Senate. Her wife, Calpurnia, has been having foreboding dreams and is imploring Caesar to not go out.

CALPURNIA. What mean you, Caesar? Think you to walk forth? You shall not stir out of your house today.

CAESAR. Caesar shall forth: the things that threaten'd me Ne'er look'd but on my back; when they shall see The face of Caesar, they are vanished.

CALPURNIA. Caesar, I I stood on ceremonies, Yet now they fright me. There is one within, Recounts most horrid sights seen by the watch. A lioness hath whelped in the streets; And graves have yawn'd, and yielded up their dead; Fierce fiery warriors fight upon the clouds, In ranks and squadrons and right form of war, Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol; The noise of battle hurtled in the air, Horses did neigh and dying men did groan, And ghosts did shriek and squeal about the streets. O Caesar! These things are beyond all use, And I do fear them.

CAESAR. What can be avoided Whose end is purposed by the mighty gods? Yet Caesar shall go forth, for these predictions Are to the world in general as to Caesar.

CALPURNIA. When beggars die, there are no comets seen; The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.

CAESAR. Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once.

CALPURNIA. Alas, my WIFE, Your wisdom is consumed in confidence. Do not go forth today. Call it my fear That keeps you in the house and not your own. We'll send to the Senate House, And he shall say you are not well today. Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this.

CAESAR. Mark Antony shall say I am not well, And, for thy humor, I will stay at home.

CALLBACK SCENE D ANGELO & IGNACIUS (Measure for Measure)

Situation: Ignacius is a young seminary student. His brother, Claudio has been arrested for impregnating his girlfriend. Due to an archaic law, Angelo, a powerful theocrat, has sentenced Claudio to death. Ignacius came to Angelo to plead for his brother’s life. He has now returned to find out Angelo’s decision.

ANGELO How now, fair one?

IGNACIUS I am come to know your pleasure.

ANGELO That you might know it would much better please me Than to demand what ’tis. Your brother cannot live.

IGNACIUS Even so. Heaven keep your Honor. (Ignacius starts to leave)

ANGELO Yet may he live a while. And it may be As long as you or I. Yet he must die.

IGNACIUS I understand you not.

ANGELO Let me be bold. Plainly conceive I love you.

IGNACIUS My brother did love Juliet, And you tell me that he shall die for ’t.

ANGELO He shall not, Ignacius, if you give me love.

IGNACIUS Ha! I will proclaim thee, Angelo, look for ’t. Sign me a present pardon for my brother Or with an outstretched throat I’ll tell the world aloud What man thou art.

ANGELO Who will believe thee, Ignacius? My unsoiled name, th’ austereness of my life, My vouch against you, and my place i’ th’ state Will so your accusation overweigh That you shall stifle in your own report And smell of calumny. I have begun, And now I give my sensual race the rein. Fit thy consent to my sharp appetite; By yielding up thy body to my will, Or else he must not only die the death, But thy unkindness shall his death draw out To ling’ring sufferance. Answer me tomorrow, Or by the affection that now guides me most, I’ll prove a tyrant to him. As for you, Say what you can, my false o’erweighs your true.

ANGELO exits.

IGNACIUS To whom should I complain? Did I tell this, Who would believe me? I’ll to my brother. Though he hath fall’n by urges of the blood, Yet hath he in him such a mind of honor That, had he twenty heads to tender down On twenty bloody blocks, he’d yield them up Before his brother should his body stoop To such abhorred pollution. Then, Ignacius, live chaste, and, brother, die.

(IGNACIUS exits)

CALLBACK SCENE E JULIET & LORD CAPULET (Romeo and Juliet)

Situation: Juliet is teenager girl in a secret lesbian relationship. Her father has arranged a marriage between her and a wealthy young ma, Paris. In this scene, Juliet informs her father that she does not want to marry Paris.

(Juliet is in her bedroom crying. Capulet enters.)

CAPULET How now! a conduit, girl? what, still in tears? Evermore showering? How now, daughter! Have you not received our decree?

JULIET Ay, sir; but I will none, I give you thanks.

CAPULET Soft! take me with you, take me with you, daughter. How! will you none? Do you not give us thanks? Are you not proud? Do you not count you blest, Unworthy as you are, that I have wrought So worthy a gentleman to be your bridegroom?

JULIET Not proud, you have; but thankful, that you have: Proud can I never be of what I hate; But thankful even for hate, that is meant love.

CAPULET How now, how now, chop-logic! What is this? 'Proud,' and 'I thank you,' and 'I thank you not;' And yet 'not proud,' mistress minion, you, Thank me no thankings, nor, proud me no prouds, But fettle your fine joints 'gainst Thursday next, To go with Paris to Saint Peter's Church, Or I will drag thee on a hurdle thither. Out, you green-sickness carrion! out, you baggage! You tallow-face!

JULIET Good father, I beseech you on my knees, Hear me with patience but to speak a word.

CAPULET Hang thee, young baggage! disobedient wretch! I tell thee what: get thee to church o' Thursday, Or never after look me in the face:

JULIET You are too hot.

CAPULET Speak not, reply not, do not answer me; My fingers itch. By Jove, I scarce thought me blest That God had lent me but this only child; But now I see this one is one too much, And that I have a curse in having you. Out on you, hilding!

(Exit CAPULET) JULIET Is there no pity sitting in the clouds, That sees into the bottom of my grief? O, sweet my father, cast me not away! Delay this marriage for a month, a week; Or, if you do not, make the bridal bed In that dim monument where Tybalt lies.

CALLBACK SCENE F and Mark Antony ()

Situation: Cleopatra is a non-binary and transgender owner of a club in New Orleans. She is in a passionate relationship with Mark Antony, a military officer. Cleopatra has just learned that Mark Antony must return to his home and wife, Fulvia.

Enter MARK ANTONY

CLEOPATRA I am sick and sullen.

MARK ANTONY What's the matter?

CLEOPATRA O, never was there queen So mightily betray'd!

MARK ANTONY Cleopatra,--

CLEOPATRA Why should I think you can be mine and true, Who have been false to Fulvia?

MARK ANTONY Most sweet queen,--

CLEOPATRA Nay, but bid farewell, and go.

MARK ANTONY Hear me, queen: The strong necessity of time commands MY services awhile; And that which most with you should bless my going, is Fulvia's death.

CLEOPATRA Has Fulvia died?

MARK ANTONY She's dead, my queen:

CLEOPATRA O most false love! Where be the sacred vials thou shouldst fill With sorrowful water? Now I see, I see, In Fulvia's death, how mine shall be received.

MARK ANTONY My precious queen, forbear; And give true evidence to my love, which stands An honourable trial.

CLEOPATRA So Fulvia told me.

MARK ANTONY You'll heat my blood: no more.

CLEOPATRA How this Herculean Roman does become The carriage of his RAGE.

MARK ANTONY I'll leave you, lady.

CLEOPATRAY O, sir, forgive me; Your honour calls you hence; Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly. And all the gods go with you! upon your sword Sit laurel victory! and smooth success Be strew'd before your feet!

MARK ANTONY I must go. Our separation so abides, and flies, That thou, residing here, go'st yet with me, And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee.

CALLBACK SCENE G Helenus, Demetrius & Lysander (A Midsummer Night’s Dream)

Situation: Helenus is a teenager who has had a crush on straight boy Demetrius. Demetrius has been in love with Hermia, and Hermia has a boyfriend named Lysander. While asleep, Demetrius and Lysander have been put under a spell which causes them to fall in to fall in love with the first person they see after they awake. For both of them, that person is Helenus, who is very confused by their amorous advances.

(Enter HELENUS pursued by LYSANDER & DEMETRIUS)

LYSANDER Why should you think that I should woo in scorn? Scorn and derision never come in tears: Look, when I vow, I weep; and vows so born, In their nativity all truth appears. How can these things in me seem scorn to you, Bearing the badge of faith, to prove them true?

HELENUS You do advance your cunning more and more. When truth kills truth, O devilish-holy fray! These vows are Hermia's: will you give her o'er?

LYSANDER I had no judgment when to her I swore.

HELENUS Nor none, in my mind, now you give her o'er.

LYSANDER Demetrius loves her, and he loves not you.

DEMETRIUS [Awaking] O, god-like sprite, perfect, divine! To what, my love, shall I compare thine eye? Crystal is muddy. O, how ripe in show Thy lips, those kissing cherries, tempting grow!

HELENUS O spite! O hell! I see you all are bent To set against me for your merriment: If you were civil and knew courtesy, You would not do me thus much injury. Can you not hate me, as I know you do, But you must join in souls to mock me too? To vow, and swear, and superpraise my parts, When I am sure you hate me with your hearts.

LYSANDER You are unkind, Demetrius; be not so; For you love Hermia; this you know I know:

DEMETRIUS: If e'er I loved her, all that love is gone. And now to Helenus is it home return'd, There to remain.

LYSANDER Dear love, it is not so.

HELENUS: Never did mockers waste more idle breath.

DEMETRIUS Disparage not the faith thou dost not know, Lest, to thy peril, thou atone for it dear.

HELENUS: Never did mockers waste more idle breath.

CALLBACK SCENE H MARINO & LYSIMACHUS (Pericles)

Situation: Marino is a noble teenage boy who was captured by sex-traffickers and sold to a brothel. Lysimachus is a powerful political figure who has paid for the opportunity to be with an innocent boy. (Lysimachus may be played by a man or a woman.)

LYSIMACHUS Now, pretty one, how long have you been at this trade?

MARINO What trade, SIR/MA’AM?

LYSIMACHUS Why, I cannot name't but I shall offend.

MARINO I cannot be offended with my trade. Please you to name it.

LYSIMACHUS How long have you been of this profession?

MARINO E'er since I can remember.

LYSIMACHUS Did you go to 't so young? Were you a gamester at five or at seven?

MARINO Earlier too, SIR/MADAM, if now I be one.

LYSIMACHUS Why, the house you dwell in proclaims you to be a creature of sale.

MARINO Do you know this house to be a place of such resort, and will come into 't If you were born to honour, show it now; If put upon you, make the judgment good That thought you worthy of it.

LYSIMACHUS How's this? how's this? Some more; be sage.

MARINO Most ungentle fortune Has placed me in this sty, where, since I came, Diseases have been sold dearer than physic. O, that the gods would set me free from this unhallow'd place, Though they did change me to the meanest bird That flies i' the purer air!

LYSIMACHUS I did not think Thou couldst have spoke so well; ne'er dream'd thou couldst. Had I brought hither a corrupted mind, Thy speech had alter'd it. Continue in that clear way thou goest, And the gods strengthen thee!

CALLBACK SCENE I Portia & Brutus (Julius Caesar)

(Enter PORTIA) BRUTUS What mean you? wherefore rise you now? It is not for your health thus to commit Your weak condition to the raw cold morning.

PORTIA Nor for yours neither. You've ungently, Stole from my bed: and yesternight, at supper, You suddenly arose, and walk'd about, Musing and sighing, with your arms across, And when I ask'd you what the matter was, You stared upon me with ungentle looks; I urged you further; then you scratch'd your head, And too impatiently stamp'd with your foot; Yet I insisted, yet you answer'd not, But, with an angry wafture of your hand, Gave sign for me to leave you: so I did; Fearing to strengthen that impatience Which seem'd too much enkindled, and withal Hoping it was but an effect of humour, Which sometime hath his hour with every PERSON.. It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor sleep, And could it work so much upon your shape As it hath much prevail'd on your condition, I should not know you. DearEST WIFE, Make me acquainted with your cause of grief.

BRUTUS I am not well in health, and that is all.

PORTIA You are wise, and, were you not in health, You would embrace the means to come by it.

BRUTUS Why, so I do. Good husband, go to bed.