A Doll's House
Henrik Ibsen
The final moments of the play. After Torvald has berated Nora upon learning her secret and then tried to forgive her when the danger passed, Nora has changed into everyday clothes and announces she is leaving.
Nora! What is this? I thought you had gone to bed. You have changed your things?
Yes, Torvald, I have changed my things now.
But what for—so late as this?
I shall not sleep tonight.
But, my dear Nora—
It is not so very late. Sit down here, Torvald. You and I have much to say to one another.
Nora—what is this?—this cold, set face?
Sit down. It will take some time; I have a lot to talk over with you.
You alarm me, Nora!—and I don't understand you.
No, that is just it. You don't understand me, and I have never understood you either—before tonight.
What do you mean by that?
I have existed merely to perform tricks for you, Torvald. But you would have it so. You and papa have committed a great sin against me. It is your fault that I have made nothing of my life.
How unreasonable and how ungrateful you are, Nora! Have you not been happy here?
No, I have never been happy. I thought I was, but it has never really been so.
Not—not happy!
No, only merry. And you have always been so kind to me. But our home has been nothing but a playroom. I have been your doll-wife, just as at home I was papa's doll-child.
What an awful thing to say!
I must stand quite alone, if I am to understand myself and everything about me. It is for that reason that I cannot remain with you any longer.
To forsake your home, your husband and your children! And you don't consider what people will say!
I cannot consider that at all. I only know that it is necessary for me.
Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare
Hamlet
William Shakespeare
Much Ado About Nothing
William Shakespeare
The Cherry Orchard
Anton Chekhov