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The Libertine - Prologue (Rochester's Monologue) PDF

Rochester warns the audience that they will not like him as he speaks frankly. He acknowledges that some things he says or does may seem noble, but not to warm to him as he can quickly change into "the full reptile." Rochester states that what he requires is their attention, not affection. He declares that he is always ready for sexual activity and warns both men and women to watch from a distance rather than get too close. Rochester asks the men to refrain from other sexual activities until after he speaks, but to think of him during any future encounters. He introduces himself as John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester, and reiterates that he does not want the audience to like him.

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2K views1 page

The Libertine - Prologue (Rochester's Monologue) PDF

Rochester warns the audience that they will not like him as he speaks frankly. He acknowledges that some things he says or does may seem noble, but not to warm to him as he can quickly change into "the full reptile." Rochester states that what he requires is their attention, not affection. He declares that he is always ready for sexual activity and warns both men and women to watch from a distance rather than get too close. Rochester asks the men to refrain from other sexual activities until after he speaks, but to think of him during any future encounters. He introduces himself as John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester, and reiterates that he does not want the audience to like him.

Uploaded by

Pranav Viswanathan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Rochester's Monologue

ROCHESTER: Allow me to be frank at the commencement: you will not like me.

No, I say

you will not. The gentlemen will be envious and the ladies will be repelled. You will not like

me now and you will like me a good deal less as we go on. Oh yes, I shall do things you will

like. You will say ‘That was a noble impulse in him’ or ‘He played a brave part there’, but DO

NOT WARM TO ME, it will not serve. When I become a BIT OF A CHARMER that is your

danger sign for it prefaces the change into THE FULL REPTILE a few seconds later. What I

require is not your affection but your attention. I must not be ignored or you will find me as

troublesome a package of humanity as ever pissed into the Thames. Now. Ladies. An

announcement. (Looks around.) I am up for it. All the time. That’s not a boast. Or an opinion.

It is bone-hard medical fact. I put it around, d’y’know? And you will watch me putting it

around and sigh for it. Don’t. It is a deal of trouble for you and you are better off watching

and drawing your conclusions from a distance than you would be if I got my tarse pointing up

your petticoats. Gentlemen. (Looks around.)Do not despair, I am up for that as well. When the

mood is on me. And the same warning applies. Now, gents: if there be vizards in the house,

jades, harlots (as how could there not be) leave them be for the moment. Still your cheesy

erections till I have had my say. But later when you shag – and later you will shag, I shall

expect it of you and I will know if you have let me down – I wish you to shag with my

homuncular image rattling in your gonads. Feel how it was for me, how it is for me and

ponder. ‘Was that shudder the same shudder he sensed? Did he know something more

profound? Or is there some wall of wretchedness that we all batter with our heads at that

shining, livelong moment?’ That is it. That is my prologue, nothing in rhyme, certainly no

protestations of modesty, you were not expecting that, I trust. I reiterate only for those who

have arrived late or were buying oranges or were simply not listening: I am John Wilmot,

Second Earl of Rochester and I do not want you to like me.

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