Speeches written for men, with a modern translation and performance notes beside every line. Casting is a choice, not a rule — take any of these that suits your voice.
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To be, or not to be
Opens: “To be, or not to be: that is the question”
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O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I
Opens: “Ay, so, God be wi' ye! Now I am alone”
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O, that this too too solid flesh would melt
Opens: “O, that this too too solid flesh would melt”
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How all occasions do inform against me
Opens: “I'll be with you straight. Go a little before”
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Speak the speech (advice to the players)
Opens: “Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced”
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O, my offence is rank
Opens: “Thanks, dear my lord”
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Is this a dagger which I see before me
Opens: “Go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready”
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Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow
Opens: “She should have died hereafter”
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If it were done when 'tis done
Opens: “If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well”
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They have tied me to a stake
Opens: “They have tied me to a stake; I cannot fly”
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But soft, what light through yonder window breaks
Opens: “He jests at scars that never felt a wound”
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Friends, Romans, countrymen
Opens: “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears”
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Romans, countrymen, and lovers
Opens: “Be patient till the last”
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O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth
Opens: “O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth”
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It must be by his death
Opens: “It must be by his death: and, for my part”
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Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors
Opens: “Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors”
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And what's he then that says I play the villain
Opens: “And what's he then that says I play the villain?”
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Soft you, a word or two before you go
Opens: “Soft you; a word or two before you go”