What is a good, funny or dramatic Shakespeare Monologue for a 14 year old girl?

Answer 1

I think As You Like It by Shakespeare would be good. Here it is:

PHEBE: Think not I love him, though I ask for him;
'Tis but a peevish boy; yet he talks well.
But what care I for words? Yet words do well
When he that speaks them pleases those that hear.
It is a pretty youth; not very pretty;
But sure he's proud; and yet his pride becomes him.
He'll make a proper man. The best thing in him
Is his complexion; and faster than his tongue
Did make offense, his eye did heal it up.
He is not very tall; yet for his year's he's tall.
His leg is but so so; and yet 'tis well.
There was a pretty redness in his lip,
A little riper and more lusty red
Than that mixed in his cheek; 'twas just the difference
Betwixt the constant red and mingled damask.
There be some women, Silvius, had they marked him
In parcels as I did, would have gone near
To fall in love with him; but, for my part,
I love him not nor hate him not; and yet
I have more cause to hate him than to love him;
For what had he to do to chide at me?
He said mine eyes were black and my hair black;
And, now I am rememb'red, scorned at me.
I marvel why I answered not again.
But that's all one; omittance is no quittance.
I'll write to him a very taunting letter,
And thou shalt bear it. Wilt thou, Silvius?

Answer 2

I think everyone's suggesting "Romeo and Juliet" because Juliet was 14 - so it's certainly age-appropriate. :) For lighter stuff, check out Kate from "Taming of the Shrew," Miranda from "The Tempest," Rosalind from "As You Like it" - really, just about any of the female romantic leads!

Without knowing you, I can't give you much advice on what would be a good monolgue for you, but here's some pointers on picking one for yourself:

Before you pick a monologue, think about which characters in Shakespeare have really spoken to you. If you haven't had a chance to read or see many of the plays, then check out some plot summaries and character write-ups. Wikipedia is a good place to start.

Your local book store should have some books of Shakespeare monologues. The books generally include a bit of plot and character summary so that you have some context. Also, here's a good site:

http://www.shakespeare-monologues.org/

(Click on "The Women," and you'll find a list of plays organized by genre. When you select individual monolgues, you'll be taken to the monologue within the context of the scene.)

Pick out a couple of monolgues for each character that interests you, and start experimenting with them. There will probably be one or two (or three...) that you keep coming back to - and that is/those are the ones to focus on.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Juliet is fitting because she was about that age. If you want to have more fun with it, Rosalind from as you like it has some great stuff you could look at.

If you have any questions feel free to ask further. I'm a theatre student and I've been studying Shakespeare acting for 2 years.

Answer 4

Romeo And Juliet. Simple yet sweet. Get a partner and do the balcony scene! Romantic! hehe. Good Luck!

Answer 5

anything that Juliet or Ophelia or Viola or Rosalind do

Answer 6

Try this directory: http://www.actingcareerstartup.com/teen_monologues.html

Tony

Answer 7

o romeo...