Famous Monologues for Auditions to Know for Acting for the Stage

Famous monologues are essential for auditions, showcasing a character's depth and emotional range. These powerful speeches, from classics like Hamlet and Macbeth, reveal complex themes of love, identity, and morality, making them vital tools for any aspiring actor.

1. Hamlet's "To be, or not to be" soliloquy

   • Explores existential themes of life and death.
   • Reflects Hamlet's internal conflict and indecision.
   • Highlights the philosophical questioning of existence and suffering.

2. Macbeth's "Is this a dagger which I see before me" monologue

   • Illustrates Macbeth's descent into madness and guilt.
   • Symbolizes the conflict between ambition and morality.
   • Captures the psychological turmoil leading to his violent actions.

3. Juliet's "Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds" speech

   • Expresses Juliet's impatience and longing for love.
   • Highlights the urgency of youth and desire.
   • Foreshadows the tragic events that will unfold.

4. Blanche DuBois' "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers" from A Streetcar Named Desire

   • Reveals Blanche's vulnerability and reliance on others.
   • Reflects themes of illusion versus reality.
   • Captures the fragility of human connections.

5. Willy Loman's "I don't say he's a great man" from Death of a Salesman

   • Examines the American Dream and its disillusionment.
   • Highlights Willy's struggle with identity and self-worth.
   • Reflects the complexities of familial relationships and expectations.

6. Stanley Kowalski's "Hey, Stella!" from A Streetcar Named Desire

   • Demonstrates raw emotion and primal instincts.
   • Captures the dynamics of desire and power in relationships.
   • Reflects Stanley's assertive nature and connection to reality.

7. Portia's "The quality of mercy" speech from The Merchant of Venice

   • Advocates for compassion and justice.
   • Explores the moral implications of mercy versus strict law.
   • Highlights Portia's intelligence and strength as a character.

8. Edmund's "Now, gods, stand up for bastards" from King Lear

   • Expresses themes of legitimacy and power.
   • Reveals Edmund's ambition and desire for recognition.
   • Highlights the conflict between societal norms and personal identity.

9. Viola's "Make me a willow cabin at your gate" from Twelfth Night

   • Illustrates themes of love and longing.
   • Captures Viola's creativity and romantic idealism.
   • Reflects the complexities of gender and identity in disguise.

10. Tom Wingfield's opening monologue from The Glass Menagerie

    • Sets the tone for memory and nostalgia.
    • Introduces the themes of escape and the burden of family.
    • Highlights Tom's role as both participant and observer in his story.