I need a piece of declamation from the author William shakespeare?

Question

for competition

Answer 1

Any of Richard's larger set pieces from "Richard II" - especially the "let us sit upon the ground" speech in Act 3 or anything from the deposition scene or the Act 5 final soliloquy (achingly beautiful)

Also, Richard III's first real appearance as the Gloucester we all come to know so well in Act 5 of "Henry VI, Part3" - brilliant and performed too rarely.

Answer 2

I feel that Marc Anthony's speech over Caesar's body "Oh pardon me thou bleeding piece of earth..." makes an ideal piece for a declamation because the drama builds so wonderfully from the the choked, broken-hearted beginning through the confident mid-section to a rising crescendo at "cry havoc and let slip the dogs of War!" falling again through "that this foul deed" to a slow quiet, menacing "carrion men groaning for burial"

I haven't got the text in front of me but, if you haven't got access to a book, I'm sure you'll find it on line, it comes right at the end of act 3 scene 1.

Because it follows a natural pattern it's quite easy to learn and it's just the right length too.

Good luck and really sock it to them; make them howl!

Answer 3

Hamlet's soliloquy ("To be, or not to be . . .") is an obvious choice, and a good one.  But, my personal favorite would be Henry V's encouragement of the troups before the Battle of Agincourt:

"This day is called the feast of Crispian:

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,

Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,

And rouse him at the name of Crispian.

He that shall live this day, and see old age,

Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,

And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'

Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.

And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'

Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,

But he'll remember with advantages

What feats he did that day: then shall our names.

Familiar in his mouth as household words

Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,

Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,

Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.

This story shall the good man teach his son;

And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remember'd;

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

This day shall gentle his condition:

And gentlemen in England now a-bed

Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,

And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day"