Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to…
“Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you-trippingly on the tongue; but if you mouth it, as many of your players do, I had as lief the town-crier spoke my lines. Nor do not saw the air too much with your hand, thus, but use all gently; for in the very torrent, tempest, and as I may say, the whirlwind of your passion, you must acquire and beget a temperance that may give it smoothness.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Acting should be natural and restrained, avoiding over‑emphasis that ruins the performance.
In simple terms: Speak naturally, not overly theatrical.
Key Takeaway
Practice subtle, authentic delivery.
Themes
theatre
communication
discipline
Mood
thoughtful
instructive
Type
dramatic
educational
When to use this quote
- stage performance
- public speaking
- teaching
- presentations
Key Concepts
Rhetoric
self‑control
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance energy and restraint?
- When does subtlety become dull?
A Different Perspective
Over‑control can make speech flat.