Dying of a Salesman (1949) by Arthur Miller is among the best performs of all time. Regardless of being near a century outdated, it tackles the American Dream peerlessly—warning in opposition to perception and belief in a system that chews males up and spits them out. It’s simply as related on the day you learn this text because it was when it was first written. The titular salesman, Willy Loman, is a towering and tragic determine within the narrative that tells his downfall. However our focus, at the moment, is on his eldest son and final nice hope Biff: and his last-ditch try to shake his father out of his delusions.
On this article, we study the Biff monologue from Act Two of Arthur Miller’s Dying of a Salesman. We cowl the context of the speech, the textual content itself and provides data as to how this monologue may finest be thought-about and carried out by an actor. Because the Biff monologue is a well-liked speech for drama college auditions and appearing lessons, it is a vital piece to be taught and comprehend for any actor.
This the primary of our Monologues Unpacked sequence to deal with a non-Shakespearean piece. You’ll want to comply with the hyperlink to the total assortment, to realize data on each conceivable Shakespeare speech you may ever encounter in your research or profession. For now, let’s cool down with this masterpiece of American writing…
Context
Willy Loman is a travelling salesman who finds success and stability ever out of attain. Within the motion of the play, we witness a tragic sequence of occasions that pushes him in the direction of despair, together with the lack of his job and his proud refusal of one other place from a good friend. Including additional stress to his life is the presence of his eldest son Biff, who has equally failed at current enterprise offers and has returned dwelling. Biff had as soon as been a champion of his father, however discovered himself disillusioned after visiting Willy unannounced in Boston and catching him within the midst of an extra-marital affair. Biff is damaged by this, however retains his father’s secret.
This speech takes place outdoors the household dwelling, following a disastrous dinner Biff had together with his youthful brother Glad and their father. Biff tried to inform his father about his newest enterprise failure, and Willy responded by slapping him and admonishing him. The play slips right into a flashback to Biff’s go to in Boston—as if to indicate Willy’s rising sense of guilt and disgrace.
Authentic Textual content
Word: whereas this speech is offered as an unbroken monologue, it’s really drawn from a heated trade between Biff Loman and his father Willy. Nearly all of the textual content is spoken as a monologue, however variations of this speech might very relying on the particulars of every edit. This model is StageMilk’s personal, as out there by means of our Scene Membership membership.
BIFF:
Now hear this, Willy, that is me. You already know why I had no handle for 3 months? I stole a swimsuit in Kansas Metropolis and I used to be jailed. I stole myself out of each good job since highschool. And I by no means bought anyplace since you blew me so filled with scorching air I might by no means stand taking orders from anyone! That’s whose fault it’s! It’s goddamn time you heard that! I needed to be boss huge shot in two weeks, and I’m by means of with it! Willy! I ran down eleven flights with a pen in my hand at the moment. And out of the blue I finished, you hear me? And in the course of that workplace constructing, do you hear this? I finished in the course of that constructing and I saw- the sky. I noticed the issues that I like on the planet. The work and the meals and the time to take a seat and smoke. And I appeared on the pen and mentioned to myself, what the hell am I grabbing this for? Why am I attempting to turn into what I don’t need to be? What am I doing in an workplace, making a contemptuous, begging idiot of myself, when all I would like is on the market, ready for me the minute I say I do know who I’m! Why can’t I say that, Willy? Pop! I’m a dime a dozen, and so are you! I’m not a frontrunner of me, Willy, and neither are you. You have been by no means something however a hard-working drummer who landed within the ash-can like all the remainder of them! I’m a greenback an hour, Willy! I attempted seven states and couldn’t increase it! A buck an hour! Do you collect my which means? I’m not bringing dwelling any prizes any extra, and also you’re going to cease ready for me to deliver them dwelling! Pop, I’m nothing! I’m nothing, Pop. Can’t you perceive that? There’s no spite in it any extra. I’m simply what I’m, that’s all. Will you let me go, for Christ’s sake? Will you are taking that phoney dream and burn it earlier than one thing occurs?
Unfamiliar Language
As with all new monologue, start by figuring out and defining any unfamiliar phrases or phrases. Biff will provide you with so much much less grief than, say, Hamlet, however there are nonetheless a couple of phrases that is perhaps unusual.
Blew me so filled with scorching air: To construct him up with reward.
Contemptuous: Displaying hatred, scorn, disapproval.
Dime a dozen: Unremarkable, widespread.
Drummer: Archaic time period for a travelling salesman. On this context it may also check with Willy’s fixed (rhythmic) work at his enterprise.
Ash-can: American slang for garbage bin.
Greenback an hour/Buck an hour: Just like “dime a dozen”, unremarkable.
Phoney: Pretend.
Notes on Efficiency
That will help you navigate performing this piece, we’ve included some notes on efficiency, listed out within the 5 factors under:
#1 Context
The very first thing you must do to carry out this piece correctly is learn the play. This speech happens at a disaster level for every get together concerned, and it’s important that you simply perceive the importance of this second inside its correct context. This can enable you to set up the timeline of Biff’s story, in addition to clarify particulars such because the pen—an impulsive theft by Biff following a failed job interview.
#2 Goal
The goal of Biff on this scene is to wake his father up and have him see cause. It’s a lofty factor for Biff to attempt for, which is thrilling for an viewers and a problem for an actor. However it might probably additionally end in some pretty obscure decisions when navigating the scene. Strive including a objective to this speech: one thing concrete you need Willy to do which is able to signify your goal is full: “My goal is for Biff to wake Willy up and have him see cause, and I’ll know I’ve performed this once I obtain the objective of getting him to hug me.”
#3 Scene Associate
Who’s Biff speaking to? Effectively, certain, it’s his father Willy. However take the time to interrogate this relationship, particularly within the context of the story. The Willy earlier than Biff may be very totally different to the hero from his childhood: a delusional failure, a cheat on his mom who has overwhelmed his son out of his personal desperation. Contemplate drawing a character relationship map to plot the complexities of this dynamic; it’s additionally vital to contemplate who has the larger standing on this scene.
Always remember {that a} monologue continues to be a dialog—it simply so occurs that one character has all of the phrases. Beneath that, within the silences, within the pauses, there may be nonetheless very a lot a back-and-forth occurring. Word what number of occasions Biff ‘checks in’ together with his father: “Now hear this…” “Do you hear this?” “Do you collect my which means?” Don’t take into consideration shifting on till you might be sure Willy has heard you.
#4 How Does Biff Really feel?
A whole lot of the time, this piece is carried out as indignant and heartbroken. And that is solely legitimate, given all Biff has been by means of. However don’t discredit the best way your character may really really feel some reduction from getting all of this off his chest. After a near-lifetime of deception and self-delusion, Biff and Willy are having a genuinely trustworthy second. And even the worst secrets and techniques shared really feel higher than being stored.
#5 The place Does Biff Finish Up?
That is good recommendation for monologues basically, however the place does Biff find yourself on the finish of the speech? What’s modified for him, for Willy? And what does the viewers know? A very good scene in any script is a degree of no return: a second when characters say one thing and might’t come again from it, their relationship perpetually affected.
Relate this level to the dynamic between you and your scene companion. Biff and Willy’s dynamic is radically altered by this trade. It’s undeniably powerful for a kid to grasp their father is fallible—human, able to failure and errors—but it surely’s additionally a second of a private progress. Would possibly part of Biff really feel higher that this confrontation has occurred?
Biff Monologue Audition Piece
This speech is a well-liked alternative for drama college auditions and appearing lessons. You will have appeared it up and located this text for this precise cause. In that case, right here’s a couple of issues to recollect in regards to the piece to assist. To begin with, maintain speaking. Hold Willy in your thoughts as you converse the phrases, and picture him within the room: this may enable you to anchor your eyeline and maintain the piece from changing into to fraught and chaotic. Whereas we’re on the topic: don’t let the feelings take over. If you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to be within the room when different auditionees are delivering this piece, you’re going to see a number of angst and tears. Resist the temptation to let go; Biff is aware of this isn’t the best way to achieve Willy and alter his thoughts.
Lastly, and this can be a little bit of a re-tread from our efficiency notes, however know the play. Know the textual content, perceive the context, the story, the which means behind the phrases. When you’re auditioning for a drama college, you’re not really being seen as an actor. You’re being auditioned as a pupil. So be a very good pupil: be hungry for information and knowledge, and present the panel that you simply’ve taken the time to discover the textual content and convey it to life.
Conclusion
So there you’ve it: our very first Monologues Unpacked to tiptoe past Shakespeare! Whether or not you’re prepping this piece for drama college, an appearing class or just utilizing it to apply your craft … get pleasure from it. Benefit from the phrases Miller has so expertly crafted, and revel in bringing just a little power and closure to Biff’s fraught relationship together with his dad. It’s the very least they each deserve.
Good luck!
