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Monologue: Fool

King Lear · William Shakespeare

male1–2 minEverymanComedy Type

Monologue text

This is a brave night to cool a courtezan. I'll speak a prophecy ere I go: When priests are more in word than matter; When brewers mar their malt with water; When nobles are their tailors' tutors; No heretics burn'd, but wenches' suitors; When every case in law is right; No squire in debt, nor no poor knight; When slanders do not live in tongues; Nor cutpurses come not to throngs; When usurers tell their gold i' the field; And bawds and whores do churches build; Then shall the realm of Albion Come to great confusion: Then comes the time, who lives to see't, That going shall be used with feet. This prophecy Merlin shall make; for I live before his time.

Work in the public domain.

Practice pace in the timer (text prefilled)

Why pick it & how to approach

The Fool's mock prophecy in the storm — play it with bitter irony, balancing clowning and prophecy.

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