Speeches

SPEECH 1: Mishima – Runaway Horses

I will turn my life into a line of poetry written with a splash of blood.

 

SPEECH 2: Aeschylus – The Libation-Bearers

I go like a slave while they; (BREATH)
They roll in the fruits of all your labours magnificent and sleek; (BREATH)
Oh my father hear me; (BREATH)
make me more possessed, make this hand pure; (BREATH)

 

SPEECH 3: Sophocles – Oedipus Rex

This is Oedipus, greatest of men; (BREATH)
He held the key to the deepest mystery; (BREATH)
Was envied by all his fellow men for his great prosperity; (BREATH)
Behold a full tide of misfortune swept over his head; (BREATH)
Learn that mortal man must always look to his ending.

 

SPEECH 4: Shakespeare – Macbeth

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time; (BREATH)
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. (BREATH) Out, out, brief candle! (BREATH)
Life’s but a walking shadow, (BREATH) a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. (BREATH) It is a tale
Told by an idiot, (BREATH) full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

 

NB:

I have included the points in the speech where you will be required to take a breath. Please learn the speeches in this manner as it enhances breath control by adding a greater degree of difficulty to the physical exercises where we engage the voice.