ABSTRACT
All monologues and soliloquies from the comedies are not necessarily funny even though they are from a comedic play. You’ll also find comedic speeches in the tragedies. Sometimes it is the character who is humorous in the comedies rather than what the character is saying. I would point to Touchstone from As You Like It as an example in some of his speeches. Indeed, some other speeches are not comedic at all as in Titania’s ‘Forgeries of Jealously’ speech from Midsummer. It really is all about the character within the given circumstances. In Shakespeare, you have a wealth of information to assist you in creating character. We will explore those elements in each speech via specific Archetypes. I say this because actors are often asked for contrasting monologues. This doesn’t necessarily mean tragic and comic. It can easily be a contrast in character. Just don’t choose two speeches from Medea or for that matter any other play. Light and semi-heavy is a good guide.
