Demetrius Monologues

From: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Casting type notes: Male, 20s-30s. Demetrius is the less likeable of the two male leads and is often played as a bit of a dirtbag. From the outset of the play, we are told that Demetrius hooked up with Helena and now is pursuing her best friend Hermia. He is typically an arrogant or sleazy casting type (though he does make good at the end of the play, as you’ll see in his one monologue).

Act 4 Scene 1

My lord, fair Helen told me of their stealth,
Of this their purpose hither to this wood;
And I in fury hither follow'd them,
Fair Helena in fancy following me.
But, my good lord, I wot not by what power -
But by some power it is - my love to Hermia,
Melted as the snow, seems to me now
As the remembrance of an idle gaud
Which in my childhood I did dote upon;
And all the faith, the virtue of my heart,
The object and the pleasure of mine eye,
Is only Helena. To her, my lord,
Was I betroth'd ere I saw Hermia:
But, like in sickness, did I loathe this food;
But, as in health, come to my natural taste,
Now I do wish it, love it, long for it,
And will for evermore be true to it.