Queen Margaret Monologue (Act 1, Scene 3)

Let’s break down Queen Margaret’s monologue from Act 1 Scene 3 of Richard the III. One of Shakespeares best known villains, Richard the III titular play is one filled with family drama, politics, war, cutting language, and this monologue is no exception.

Context

Before film and television, one of the most popular pastimes in western cultures was to go to the theatre, and people loved going to see Shakespeare’s plays. And much like the media we consume today, Shakespeare’s plays had prequels, sequels and long sagas. This series of plays is often referred to as ‘The Henriad’ as it follows the story of Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI, ultimately Richard III and how they all came to power. Much like Game of Thrones, which draws direct inspiration from these plays. By the time we find ourselves in Richard’s play, we are coming to the end of a long civil war, otherwise referred to as ‘The War of The Roses’ between two families: The Yorks and the Lancasters. The Yorks were symbolised by a white rose and the Lancasters were symbolised by a red rose.

Now, to explain everything that went on with these two families in the run up to this scene may get a bit confusing. So we’ll try to keep it simple. Richard the II, who was of the house of York was overthrown, by Henry IV of the house of Lancaster, he was succeeded by his son Henry V, and he by HIS son Henry VI. You can see why there might be some tension. Queen Margeret, who we’re looking at here, was the wife and Queen of Henry VI. And when we find ourselves at the beginning of the play, Henry VI has been killed and his throne has been succeeded by Edward IV, who is Richard’s oldest brother. So tensions are at an all time high. 

We first see Richard explain to the audience all of the dastardly things he plans to do, because as he sees it. He has been wronged by society for his looks and physical disabilities. So he hatches a machiavellian scheme to take the throne for himself, even if it means going against his own family.

He begins by having his brother Clarence thrown into prison based on some flunky prophecy about him maybe murdering them. But as Clarence is being escorted to the Tower, he tells him that Queen Elizabeth, the current queen and wife to their brother Edward, is to blame. Then he decides to woo and marry the lady Anne, who was the wife of King Henry VI son, Edward the IV who would’ve been the heir to the English throne. Despite the fact that Richard was responsible for his death. 

We then move to the scene we’re looking at today. Richard is working very hard to turn everyone against each other to create chaos and confusion so that he can snatch the crown for himself. Queen Margaret, who has been hiding in a corner of the room listening in on the conversation, decides to give him a piece of her mind.

Text

And leave out thee? Stay, dog, for thou shalt hear me.
If heaven have any grievous plague in store
Exceeding those that I can wish upon thee,
O, let them keep it till thy sins be ripe
And then hurl down their indignation
On thee, the troubler of the poor world’s peace.
The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul.
Thy friends suspect for traitors while thou liv’st,
And take deep traitors for thy dearest friends.
No sleep close up that deadly eye of thine,
Unless it be while some tormenting dream
Affrights thee with a hell of ugly devils.
Thou elvish-marked, abortive, rooting hog,
Thou was sealed in thy nativity
The slave of nature and the son of hell,
Thou slander of thy heavy mother’s womb,
Thou loathed issue of thy father’s loins,
Thou rag of honor, thou detested—

Unfamiliar Language

Thee: You
Thine: Your
Begnaw: Chew
Liv’st: Live
Affright: Scare
Elvish–Marked: Cursed
Rooting: Wallowing

Translation

And leave you out? Stay here you dog, for you will hear me.
If heaven has a fate worse than I can wish upon you,
Oh let them wait until you’ve committed your worst sins,
So that they can hurl down that plague with even greater indignation
You trouble maker who ruins the world’s peace.
You will think your friends are traitors as long as you live
And you will think that your worst traitors are your closest friends
No sleep will come to those evil eyes of yours
Unless its to have a nightmare filled with devils to terrify you
You cursed, prematurely-born, wallowing pig,
You who was born a twisted child of hell,
You insult to your mothers womb,
You hated disfunction of your fathers loins
You dirty rag of dishonour,
You hated-

Notes on Performance

When you tackle this monologue or really any monologue from this play. It’s extremely important to have at least a vague understanding of the history. So if you can take some time to get to know all of the plays that have come before this in the Henriad or at least a rough synopsis of them, this will help immensely with creating a fully rounded character.

This is also a fantastic monologue for any audition where you need to show some gnarled teeth. Margaret really isn’t holding back here at all, and neither should you. Focus on directly attacking Richard in this scene and let rip.

There’s a number of people in this scene, so try to bring them all into your world as you perform this monologue as well. Know where they are in the room and direct some of this speech towards them.