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The Ring

A dramedy monologue from Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare. About 1 min.

Viola, disguised as a young man, realizes the countess has fallen for her.

Viola
late teens to 20s. A woman in disguise, caught in a love triangle

  1. Alone in the street, after Olivia’s steward runs after her with a ring she never gave.

  2. I left no ring with her; what means this lady?

  3. Fortune forbid my outside have not charm’d her!

  4. She made good view of me, indeed, so much, That methought her eyes had lost her tongue,

  5. For she did speak in starts distractedly.

  6. She loves me, sure, the cunning of her passion Invites me in this churlish messenger.

  7. None of my lord’s ring? Why, he sent her none.

  8. I am the man; if it be so, as ’tis, Poor lady, she were better love a dream.

  9. Disguise, I see thou art a wickedness Wherein the pregnant enemy does much.

  10. How easy is it for the proper false In women’s waxen hearts to set their forms!

  11. Alas, our frailty is the cause, not we, For such as we are made of, such we be.

  12. How will this fadge? My master loves her dearly,

  13. And I, poor monster, fond as much on him, And she, mistaken, seems to dote on me.

  14. What will become of this? As I am man, My state is desperate for my master’s love;

  15. As I am woman (now alas the day!) What thriftless sighs shall poor Olivia breathe!

  16. O time, thou must untangle this, not I, It is too hard a knot for me t’untie!

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Public domain, William Shakespeare, 1602. Text from Project Gutenberg #1526.

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