Dying of a Salesman (1949) by Arthur Miller is among the best performs of all time. Regardless of being near a century previous, it tackles the American Dream peerlessly—warning towards 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, right this 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 faculty auditions and appearing lessons, it is a vital piece to study and comprehend for any actor.
This the primary of our Monologues Unpacked sequence to deal with a non-Shakespearean piece. Be sure you observe the hyperlink to the total assortment, to achieve 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 pal. Including additional strain to his life is the presence of his eldest son Biff, who has equally failed at current enterprise offers and has returned house. 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 house, following a disastrous dinner Biff had together with his youthful brother Comfortable 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 truly drawn from a heated alternate between Biff Loman and his father Willy. Nearly all of the textual content is spoken as a monologue, however variations of this speech could very relying on the particulars of every edit. This model is StageMilk’s personal, as obtainable by means of our Scene Membership membership.
BIFF:
Now hear this, Willy, that is me. You realize 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 obtained wherever since you blew me so filled with sizzling 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 right this moment. And instantly I finished, you hear me? And in the midst of that workplace constructing, do you hear this? I finished in the midst of that constructing and I saw- the sky. I noticed the issues that I like on the earth. The work and the meals and the time to take a seat and smoke. And I regarded on the pen and stated to myself, what the hell am I grabbing this for? Why am I attempting to grow to be what I don’t need to be? What am I doing in an workplace, making a contemptuous, begging idiot of myself, when all I need 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 pacesetter 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 elevate it! A buck an hour! Do you collect my which means? I’m not bringing house any prizes any extra, and also you’re going to cease ready for me to deliver them house! 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 every new monologue, start by figuring out and defining any unfamiliar phrases or phrases. Biff provides you with quite a bit much less grief than, say, Hamlet, however there are nonetheless just a few phrases that may be unusual.
Blew me so filled with sizzling air: To construct him up with reward.
Contemptuous: Exhibiting hatred, scorn, disapproval.
Dime a dozen: Unremarkable, frequent.
Drummer: Archaic time period for a travelling salesman. On this context it may additionally discuss 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: Faux.
Notes on Efficiency
That will help you navigate performing this piece, we’ve included some notes on efficiency, listed out within the 5 factors beneath:
#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 celebration concerned, and it is important that you simply perceive the importance of this second inside its correct context. It will enable you 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 motive. It’s a lofty factor for Biff to try for, which is thrilling for an viewers and a problem for an actor. However it might probably additionally lead to some pretty imprecise decisions when navigating the scene. Strive including a objective to this speech: one thing concrete you need Willy to do which can signify your goal is full: “My goal is for Biff to wake Willy up and have him see motive, and I’ll know I’ve achieved this once I obtain the objective of getting him to hug me.”
#3 Scene Associate
Who’s Biff speaking to? Nicely, 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 completely 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. Take into account drawing a character relationship map to plot the complexities of this dynamic; it’s additionally necessary to contemplate who has the higher standing on this scene.
Always remember {that a} monologue remains 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 instances 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 number of the time, this piece is carried out as indignant and heartbroken. And that is totally legitimate, given all Biff has been by means of. However don’t discredit the way in which your character may truly really feel some aid from getting all of this off his chest. After a near-lifetime of deception and self-delusion, Biff and Willy are having a genuinely sincere second. And even the worst secrets and techniques shared really feel higher than being saved.
#5 The place Does Biff Finish Up?
That is good recommendation for monologues normally, 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 superb 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 ceaselessly affected.
Relate this level to the dynamic between you and your scene companion. Biff and Willy’s dynamic is radically altered by this alternate. It’s undeniably robust for a kid to grasp their father is fallible—human, able to failure and errors—nevertheless it’s additionally a second of a private development. May part of Biff really feel higher that this confrontation has occurred?
Biff Monologue Audition Piece
This speech is a well-liked alternative for drama faculty auditions and appearing lessons. You might have regarded it up and located this text for this precise motive. If that’s the case, right here’s just a few issues to recollect in regards to the piece to assist. To start with, maintain speaking. Preserve Willy in your thoughts as you converse the phrases, and picture him within the room: it will enable you 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 variety of angst and tears. Resist the temptation to let go; Biff is aware of this isn’t the way in which to succeed in 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 find yourself auditioning for a drama faculty, you’re not truly being seen as an actor. You’re being auditioned as a pupil. So be pupil: be hungry for data and data, 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 gotten it: our very first Monologues Unpacked to tiptoe past Shakespeare! Whether or not you’re prepping this piece for drama faculty, an appearing class or just utilizing it to follow your craft … take pleasure in it. Benefit from the phrases Miller has so expertly crafted, and luxuriate in bringing a bit power and closure to Biff’s fraught relationship together with his dad. It’s the very least they each deserve.
Good luck!
