DEAD POETS SOCIETY

CHARACTER: Neil Perry

SCENE: He is performing a monologue from "A Midsummer Nights Dream"

"If we shadows have offended, think but this and all is mended. That you have but slumbered here while these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme no more yielding but a dream. Gentles do not reprehend. If you pardon, we will mend. And as I am an honest puck, if we have unearned luck. Now to escape the serpent's tongue. We will make amends 'ere long. Else the puck a liar call. So good night unto you all. Give me your hands if we be friends. And a Robin shall restore amends."

SWING KIDS

CHARACETR: Frau Linge

SCENE: Reading a letter to Peter, that his father had written years earlier.

"We must all take responsibility for what is happening to our country. If those of us who have a voice do not raise it at the treatment of our fellow human beings, we will have collaborated in their doom. It is not good enough to raise these voices in our homes. Many Germans do this. But outside their doors, all they hear is Hitler's voice of hate, his promises of glory. He goes on later in the letter to talk about you. Everyday, I look at my son, my Peter. And he's grown a little bit bigger. He's already becoming a man. And what curiosity. Always asking questions. Question after question, until he fully understands the answer. The site of his small face. Strong and hopeful. Awakening to the world around him is what keeps me going. It's when I think of him, that I know what I am doing must be done. You must go now Peter, and I must go. And you must be strong. We'll meet again."

Last Days of Disco

CHARACETR: Tom

SCENE: Tom is talking to Alice (his one night stand) about relationships and sex. Jennifer is his girlfriend.

TOM: Do you remember the conversation that we had Labor Day weekend? It had a huge impact on me. Jennifer and I had been talking all year about either acknowledging the permanence of our relationship and marrying or finally just breaking up. We've been together since college, but the weekend after Labor Day, we had this long talk. Jennifer proposed a trial separation which normally I would have considered ridiculous. But I couldn't help thinking of you, and went along. Out of some residual loyalty to Jennifer I didn't call you and instead started coming to the club. I was curious as if the sexual revolution went as far as everyone said. It had, but emotionally I couldn't handle it. I got so depressed. When I saw you that night, you were a vision. Not just of loveliness, but of virtue and sanity. You're very sexy and good looking and modern and hot, but what I was craving was sort of a sentient individual who wouldn't just abandon her intelligence to hop into bed with every guy she meets in a night club. Why is it that when people have sex with strangers on their minds, their IQ drops like 40 points. I mean, my God is there no limit! Do you think I'm an idiot? I'm just so sick of all of the lies and the nonsense!

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

CHARACTER: Claudio

SCENE: He is admitting his love for Hero to Don Pedro

"O my Lord, when you went onward on this ended action, I looked upon her with a soldier's eye. That liked, but had a rougher task in hand than to drive liking to the name of love. But now I am returned and that war thoughts have left their places vacant, in their rooms come thronging soft and delicate desires. All prompting me how fair young Hero is, saying I liked her ere I went to wars. How sweetly do you minister to love, that know love's grief by it's complexion! But left my liking might too sudden seem, I would have salved it with a longer treatise."

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

CHARACTER: Benedict

SCENE: He has just overheard that Beatrice loves him

"This can be no trick. The conference was sadly born. They have the truth of this from Hero. They seem to pity the lady. It seems her affections have their full bent. Love me? Why, it must be requited. I hear how I am censured. They say I will bear myself proudly, if I perceive the love from her. They say too that she would rather die then give any sign of affection. I did never think to marry. I must not seem proud; happy are they that hear their detractions and can put them to mending. They say the lady is fair. 'Tis so, I can not reprove it, and wise but for loving me. By my troth, it is no addition to her wit nor no great argument of her folly; for I will be horribly in love with her. I may chance have some odd quirks and remnants of wit broken on me, because I have railed so long against marriage. But doth not the appetite alter? A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age. Shall quips and sentences and these paper bullets of the brain awe a man from the career of his humor? No the world must be peopled! When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I shall live till I were married. Here comes Beatrice! By this day, she's a fair lady! I do spy some marks of love in her."

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

CHARACTER: Beatrice

SCENE: She has just overheard that Benedict loves her.

"What fire is in mine ears? Can this be true? Stand I condemned for pride and scorn so much? Contempt, farewell, and maiden pride adieu! No glory lives behind the back of such. And Benedict, love on; I will requite thee, taming my wild heart to thy loving hand. If thou dost love, my kindness shall incite thee, to bind our loves up in a holy band. For others say thou dost deserve, and I believe it better then reportingly!"