Jailor’s Daughter’s Monologue from The Two Noble Kinsmen, Act 2, Scene 4: "Why should I love this gentleman?"
Synopsis
The Jailor’s Daughter struggles with her feelings for Palamon, a prisoner in her father’s jail. She acknowledges the hopelessness of her love, given the class difference between them, but is consumed by her emotions. This monologue captures her confusion, passion, and longing, as well as the emotional intensity that comes with youthful infatuation. She moves between self-awareness, desire, and frustration as she contemplates what she should do to make Palamon aware of her love.
What’s just happened before this moment that’s relevant to the scene?
The Jailor’s Daughter has witnessed Palamon’s suffering, and, as she brings him water in the morning, she becomes increasingly infatuated with him. She is torn between recognizing the barriers to their love and feeling overwhelmed by her emotions.
Original Text
"Why should I love this gentleman? ’Tis odds
He never will affect me. I am base,
My father the mean keeper of his prison,
And he a prince. To marry him is hopeless;
To be his whore is witless. Out upon’t!
What pushes are we wenches driven to
When fifteen once has found us! First, I saw him:
I, seeing, thought he was a goodly man;
He has as much to please a woman in him
(If he please to bestow it so) as ever
These eyes yet look’d on. Next, I pitied him;
And so would any young wench o’ my conscience
That ever dream’d, or vow’d her maidenhead
To a young handsome man. Then, I lov’d him,
Extremely lov’d him, infinitely lov’d him;
And yet he had a cousin, fair as he too;
But in my heart was Palamon, and there,
Lord, what a coil he keeps! To hear him
Sing in an evening, what a heaven it is!
And yet his songs are sad ones. Fairer spoken
Was never gentleman. When I come in
To bring him water in a morning, first
He bows his noble body, then salutes me thus:
“Fair gentle maid, good morrow. May thy goodness
Get thee a happy husband!” Once he kiss’d me—
I lov’d my lips the better ten days after.
Would he would do so ev’ry day! He grieves much,
And me as much to see his misery.
What should I do to make him know I love him,
For I would fain enjoy him? Say I ventur’d..."
Translation of Text into Contemporary Language
"Why should I love this man? It’s unlikely
He’ll ever feel the same about me. I’m of low status,
My father is just a jailer, and he’s a prince.
To marry him would be impossible;
To be his mistress would be foolish. What a mess we’re in,
What are we young women driven to do
When we’re fifteen and full of desire! First, I saw him:
When I saw him, I thought he was a fine-looking man.
He has as much to offer a woman
(If he chooses to give it) as any man I’ve seen.
Then I felt sorry for him;
And any girl with a conscience would feel the same,
Especially if she ever promised her virginity
To a handsome young man. Then, I loved him,
I loved him deeply, I loved him more than anything;
And yet, he has a cousin who is just as handsome.
But in my heart, it’s Palamon I love, and there,
Lord, what a mess he makes! To hear him
Sing in the evening, what bliss it is!
And yet his songs are so sad. No one speaks as
Beautifully as he does. When I go in
To give him water in the morning, first,
He bows his noble body, then greets me with:
‘Fair gentle maid, good morning. May your goodness
Bring you a happy husband!’ Once, he kissed me—
I loved my lips for ten days after.
I wish he’d kiss me every day! He’s so sad,
And I feel just as sad when I see his misery.
What should I do to make him know I love him,
Because I really want to be with him? If I took the risk..."
Meaning of Difficult or Unusual Words
Odds: Unlikely or improbable.
Base: Of low social rank.
Whore: Mistress or lover, used here to imply the degrading alternative to marriage.
Pushes: Forces or circumstances.
Wench: A young woman, often used with a playful or derogatory connotation.
Coil: Trouble or confusion.
Venture: Risk or dare to act.
Suggested New Thoughts Chunking / Paragraphing with Acting Notes
"Why should I love this gentleman? ’Tis odds He never will affect me. I am base, My father the mean keeper of his prison, And he a prince."
Acting Note: Start with self-doubt and frustration. The Jailor’s Daughter is deeply aware of the class divide and the futility of her situation."To marry him is hopeless; To be his whore is witless. Out upon’t! What pushes are we wenches driven to When fifteen once has found us!"
Acting Note: Shift to exasperation and self-pity. Julia’s voice should grow frustrated with the harsh realities of love and her own emotional turmoil."First, I saw him: I, seeing, thought he was a goodly man; He has as much to please a woman in him (If he please to bestow it so) as ever These eyes yet look’d on."
Acting Note: Add warmth and admiration here. The Jailor’s Daughter reflects on the first time she saw Palamon, her initial attraction to him."Next, I pitied him; And so would any young wench o’ my conscience That ever dream’d, or vow’d her maidenhead To a young handsome man."
Acting Note: This section should feel gentle and empathetic. Her compassion for Palamon is sincere and natural."Then, I lov’d him, Extremely lov’d him, infinitely lov’d him; And yet he had a cousin, fair as he too; But in my heart was Palamon, and there, Lord, what a coil he keeps!"
Acting Note: Build intensity. The Jailor’s Daughter expresses her deep, conflicting love for Palamon, highlighting the confusion in her emotions."To hear him Sing in an evening, what a heaven it is! And yet his songs are sad ones. Fairer spoken Was never gentleman."
Acting Note: Use a tone of admiration mixed with sadness. She appreciates Palamon’s beauty and the sweetness of his songs, but there is an underlying sorrow."When I come in To bring him water in a morning, first He bows his noble body, then salutes me thus: ‘Fair gentle maid, good morrow. May thy goodness Get thee a happy husband!’"
Acting Note: Deliver these lines with a sense of wonder and affection. The Jailor’s Daughter is flattered by his politeness, savoring every moment of their interaction."Once he kiss’d me— I lov’d my lips the better ten days after."
Acting Note: Add a light, playful tone. Her joy over the kiss should feel innocent and full of youthful longing."Would he would do so ev’ry day! He grieves much, And me as much to see his misery."
Acting Note: Shift to concern and deep empathy. She feels Palamon’s sorrow as acutely as her own."What should I do to make him know I love him, For I would fain enjoy him? Say I ventur’d..."
Acting Note: End with uncertainty and resolve. The Jailor’s Daughter contemplates how to express her love, balancing fear and desire.
Journey Keypoints
Hook: The Jailor’s Daughter begins with questioning her feelings, aware of the impossibility of the situation.
Turning Point: She acknowledges her deepening love for Palamon, despite the obstacles.
Climax: Her emotional turmoil reaches its peak as she reflects on her love for him and her desire to act on it.
Resolution: She contemplates what action, if any, she should take, unsure of how to proceed.
Famous or Notable Actors Who Have Played the Role
Claire Rushbrook (Royal Shakespeare Company, 1993)
Josie Lawrence (Shakespeare's Globe, 2007)
Tamsin Greig (Royal Court Theatre, 2010)
Billie Piper (West End Production, 2012)
Explore the complexity of the Jailor’s Daughter’s love and emotional conflict with ACS Drama School Audition Coaching! Learn to express both the sweetness and despair of unrequited love in Shakespeare’s works. Start your journey today at ACS Drama School Audition Coaching.