Demise of a Salesman (1949) by Arthur Miller is among the biggest performs of all time. Regardless of being near a century previous, 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, right now, is on his eldest son and final nice hope Biff: and his last-ditch try and shake his father out of his delusions.
On this article, we look at the Biff monologue from Act Two of Arthur Miller’s Demise 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 be taught and comprehend for any actor.
This the primary of our Monologues Unpacked collection to sort out 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 calm 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 collection of occasions that pushes him in direction of despair, together with the lack of his job and his proud refusal of one other place from a pal. Including additional stress to his life is the presence of his eldest son Biff, who has equally failed at latest 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 exterior the household house, following a disastrous dinner Biff had together with his youthful brother Completely happy 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
Notice: whereas this speech is offered as an unbroken monologue, it’s really 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 accessible by our Scene Membership membership.
BIFF:
Now hear this, Willy, that is me. You already know why I had no tackle 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 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 large shot in two weeks, and I’m by with it! Willy! I ran down eleven flights with a pen in my hand right now. And abruptly I ended, you hear me? And in the midst of that workplace constructing, do you hear this? I ended in the midst of that constructing and I saw- the sky. I noticed the issues that I really like on the planet. The work and the meals and the time to sit down and smoke. And I appeared on the pen and stated to myself, what the hell am I grabbing this for? Why am I making an attempt to turn out to be what I don’t wish 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 had 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 carry 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’re 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 offers you so much much less grief than, say, Hamlet, however there are nonetheless a number of phrases that is perhaps unusual.
Blew me so filled with sizzling 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 additionally discuss with Willy’s fixed (rhythmic) work at his enterprise.
Ash-can: American slang for garbage bin.
Greenback an hour/Buck an hour: Much 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 it’s essential 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 just perceive the importance of this second inside its correct context. This may 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 target 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 may additionally lead to some pretty obscure decisions when navigating the scene. Attempt including a aim 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 cause, and I’ll know I’ve achieved this once I obtain the aim of getting him to hug me.”
#3 Scene Accomplice
Who’s Biff speaking to? Nicely, positive, 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 crushed his son out of his personal desperation. Think about drawing a personality relationship map to plot the complexities of this dynamic; it’s additionally essential to think about who has the higher 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’s nonetheless very a lot a back-and-forth occurring. Notice 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 transferring on till you might be sure Willy has heard you.
#4 How Does Biff Really feel?
Lots of the time, this piece is carried out as indignant and heartbroken. And that is fully legitimate, given all Biff has been by. However don’t discredit the way in which your character may really 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 trustworthy 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 generally, 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 eternally affected.
Relate this level to the dynamic between you and your scene associate. Biff and Willy’s dynamic is radically altered by this alternate. It’s undeniably robust for a kid to understand their father is fallible—human, able to failure and errors—however it’s additionally a second of a private progress. 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 appeared it up and located this text for this actual cause. If that’s the case, right here’s a number of issues to recollect in regards to the piece to assist. Initially, maintain speaking. Hold Willy in your thoughts as you communicate the phrases, and picture him within the room: this can enable you to anchor your eyeline and maintain the piece from turning into to fraught and chaotic. Whereas we’re on the topic: don’t let the feelings take over. For those who’re fortunate sufficient to be within the room when different auditionees are delivering this piece, you’re going to see numerous 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 it is 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 faculty, 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 data and knowledge, and present the panel that you just’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 observe your craft … take pleasure in it. Benefit from the phrases Miller has so expertly crafted, and luxuriate in bringing a little bit power and closure to Biff’s fraught relationship together with his dad. It’s the very least they each deserve.
Good luck!
