Penny Dreadful - Caliban's Speech

[@sansintierra]

No other series has delved this deep into the mood and spirit of an age, paying respect to its literature, its art, its ideas, its conflicts and myths, while having this incredible level of quality. The character lines are increbible, meaningful, intense and complex, and yet not boring or tedious.

[@eamonnmulhern2332]

Here here 😥

[@amunetra180]

Agreed 100%

[@dougraddi908]

Your description of this beautiful series is spot on. There will never be another series as rich as this

[@eamonnmulhern2332]

Wow, back here again.... you could not have echoed it better.

[@sgaddu]

Well refelected

[@lollystar888]

It's the way his voice breaks when he says "why did you allow me to feel" which hurts so bad

[@kidproblem1]

lollystar888 exactly it's like u can hear his heart break

[@theuncletony98]

The soul of the show

[@Brandolor1]

“I would rather be the corpse I was, then the man I am.” Rory’s delivery of that line is absolutely perfect.

[@nickparsons337]

To be fair; EVERY single line that Rory delivers is absolutely fantastic. I love this series so much; that I've watched it in it's entirety three times because it's simply that brilliant on every level. I've yet to find another series that is so well cast, written, with gorgeous cinematography as well. Rory's contrast of portraying both sides of the violent and dual nature of simply wanting what any human craves; to be loved, via Frankenstein's "monster" is heartbreaking. Brilliant performances all around.

[@MarcusHalverstram]

And you can't even get then/than right

[@Brandolor1]

@@MarcusHalverstram It’s taken you 5 years to figure that one out!

[@High_Monk]

@@Brandolor1 I don't generally get mad at people's grammar on the internet, but to be fair it's a bit bothersome in this context. That doesn't mean someone is entitled to be rude towards you for it.

[@Giulsgiuls93]

"why did you allow me to feel?" You, my good sir, are one hell of an actor

[@charlieholmes4734]

Giulia Guarienti that's the question i think a lot of people ask why dwas i allowed to feel cause sometimes feeling is to much emotions can be to much

[@dragon_slayer23]

why indeed

[@Tm3films]

Mind blowing

[@gracie.arnold]

he is absolutely welded into my very soul... steel and stone would not have yielded the beauty of this torment and the tragedy of his being

[@Fleurdelys2525]

Rory's performance in Penny Dreadful earned him a Satellite Award for "Best Supporting Actor in a Drama" over the weekend. Congrats to him!

[@randomly1340]

He certainly deserved it!

[@dahliaraizel8275]

Raymond Davis this giy needs an Oscar!

[@holyworrier]

He was brilliant. It's a shame the entire cast can't get an award.

[@odd-man9281]

Should of got an Emmy too, as well as so many of the actors on this show

[@eduardmanecuta5350]

@@dahliaraizel8275 I agree. This is how an Oscar worthy scene looks. Brilliant. Even now after years this scene unveils the emotion in me.

[@jabbau5758]

This speech is one the greatest Odes to Depression I have ever heard.

[@CelinaKyle143]

Yes!

[@Jaqen-HGhar]

his recital of the actual John Clare's poem in season 2 is even better. "I am, yet what I am none cares...."

[@theone-tg4ey]

based

[@dogsarethebe5t]

My heart hurts. The monologue was so poetically written but even more beautiful in the way it was carried out. This is how it is to truly hate yourself yet yearn to be loved. Oscar please.

[@theAngryscotman]

It says a lot that he can kill Proteus and Professor Van Helsing and still get my sympathy.

[@kernalfleak]

proteus was spared this sick world, but van helsing was a loss. He could have saved Vanessa.

[@theAngryscotman]

I wouldn't say he was spared. He would probably get his memories back like Brona and Caliban did eventually and he could have gone back to his old life.

[@korsekil]

Because you realize that his viciousness and ruthlessness were borne of his creator's cruelty.

[@tristansmith8824]

Caliban is the literal definition of "lovable trash." Like, in one moment, you love and feel bad for him, and then literally a scene later and he's making horrible decisions and you're like "god-fucking-dammit, Caliban."

[@SAUNITRIES]

This. Lol.

[@EmptyMan000]

+Tristan Smith Indeed. Just as regular humans do.

[@mobydicki9060]

Me to Caliban all the time erry time: "My beautiful, stupid son!!!!!!"

[@WandersNowherre]

He takes after his dad ;) there were so many moments in this show where I was screaming "no what are you doing Vic...WHAT ARE YOU DOING VIC...WHAT ARE YOU DOING VIC!!!!" ...and that's how you know you have a novel-accurate portrayal of Victor Frankenstein and his Creature 😂

[@mrs.spoilers9873]

This is heartbreaking, but it's exactly why I love Penny Dreaful so much. It's the first production that has managed to explore the situation of Frankenstein's creature in the same way Mary Shelley did in the book. What I liked the most when I read that fantastic piece of literature, was the part when the Creature narrates his experiences after Victor abandoned him. That's what I can see here. Not just the dummy huge monster that goes after people and kills them just because. This is PURE romantic literature, and Penny Dreadful is full of that, I can tell. As for Rory Kinnear, I don't think anyone has performed this role in such an impressive way before (I wouldn't count the great Boris Karloff, as his acting was for a complete different monster).

[@KoshVader]

That's why I love this show too, but there are other adaptations that capture the spirit of the book. The 2004 Hallmark one is truly remarkable in this sense, it gets everything right and the 1994 versions explores the Creature's character well too (though some may disagree).

[@baileyclifton9751]

This show perfectly captures the romantic genre and even more so the the gothic sub genre. It was beautiful and heartbreaking, and yet I feel happy and sad. If that makes any sense

[@jonsnor4313]

This and frankenstein being a selfabsorbed jerk.

[@ghjdj6483]

In the book, the monster also kills the bride (his relative ugh 😩 ) of Frankenstein just after the wedding to make him feel the loss. I think he wanted him to be lonely and alone just like him until the end of his life.

[@AdventureSworn]

It was a good touch to have him speak so poetically, given he learned to talk via the poems and classical writing that Frankenstein had lying around his flat. Attention to detail like that is excellent.

[@GossamerGhoul]

That, plus his time spent working at the theatre, too. Quite the upbringing!

[@maycherry159]

This clip made me try the series, and I am so glad it did. The writing is unlike anything else on television. I love long, Romantic style monologues. I thought they were dead to tv and movies, so I am overjoyed to have them back.

[@SirQnknown]

Indeed. I myself remember when I started the series, Dorgian Gray, Frankenstein old style London it has its own magical charm that I could not resist. Recommended it to everyone I know.

[@MonkeyboyR]

I cried so hard!!!!!

[@everxchosen6057]

The older I get the more I keep going back to the pained soul that was Caliban. Such a powerful role in this series.

[@undarethesun]

A child's mind with an adult pshyology without the knowledge of society. cliban is the purest side of being human; and this poetic speech is the most effective scene i ve ever watched

[@Litkovian23]

"Why did you allow me to feel?" *heart shatters*

[@momaxluful]

Best Franlenstein adaptation to date, great acting, moving lines, well done, love this scene... Kudos to actors and writers. Simply astonishing.

[@xzyby26]

One of teh most powerful scenes of the show and the acting, everything was so well done. I have to say this and the scene he was with the girl when she gave him the orange are some of my favorites from this episode.

[@PriapicPan]

Caliban is a terrible creature but a suffering creature, more sinned against than sinning. I do not understand why I feel so touched and such great sympathy towards him. It must be the acting. Rory Kinnear's portrayal of Caliban is stellar.

[@charlieholmes4734]

PriapicPan because his pain and self loathing was forced onto him by Frankenstein he was at peace when he was dead hence the I'd rather be the corpse i was than the man i am

[@KoshVader]

And let's not forget his 'birth' scene. That shot of him crying out in pain after being abandoned by his father was simply heartbreaking.

[@ForTheForsaken]

Because life has only two guarantees: Suffering and an inevitable death, and unlike other animals, us humans know it. To live as flesh and bone, whilst having a soul is a punishment from God.

[@giovannamauro9359]

my god. this character hit me with such power. it's the violence and the sweetness of poetry all melted in a human being facing the struggles of a re-birth. makes you think of the suffering and death and life so much, and he also matures through 3 seasons, finally becoming "adult" again, finally learning to fight as a mature man the many pains of living. you can see the perfect changing of his expressions from the first to the last episode. one of the greatest characters and one of the most passionate actors i've ever seen so far.

[@SuperJuvent]

i agree

[@relupo2446]

the part Caliban says: "why did you allow me to feel?" is something extraordinary

[@SAUNITRIES]

I love how he was able to make this scene powerful without visibly crying. Instead we see how much he's crying on the inside. My friend has this notion that if an actor can't cry then they aren't a good actor. Well, I witnessed my friend tear up while watching this scene. Even though it's only 1 min and some seconds, it hits so many dark places in the soul. The way they brought him around to becoming accountable for his actions was marvelous. Not only that, but the scene where the owner of the theater hugged him instead of shaking his hand was touching.

[@darynhinnant8833]

I literally watched this scene over and over for like 30 minutes... Beautiful.

[@Runu94]

i cried so much watching this

[@SirQnknown]

I bet you were not the only one, truly beautiful words that you will not hear in any other series or movies.

[@emanuelzhimrules]

The thing is that this isnt the only great speech he makes on the show!!

[@Fleurdelys2525]

I play this clip almost everyday. It's one of my most favorite scenes from Season 1. Rory is such an amazing actor and they give him great dialogue to recite.

[@gladiolator7152]

Rawan omg! Me too! The ending!! I cied too!

[@mohanicus]

what a fantastic piece of acting from rory kinnear...ive never seen the creature in this light before..."oh my creator..why didnt you make me from steel or stone why did you make me feel"....jesus that had me in tears...

[@rezolutionist7715]

I have seen this about milion times, buried it deeply into my mind. This scene and Calliban story itself lead me to read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and I am telling you, if you like this you definitely will love the book.

[@PobbieRoops]

Just started watching penny dreadful last night and so glad I did Caliban is my favourite character Brilliant show

[@KoshVader]

He's lovely isn't he? I love how happy he looks when he's working at the theatre.

[@shpei88]

Who hasn't wanted to turn off their feelings at some point in their lives? The creature is more human than he realizes... Bravo to Rory Kinnear and Harry Treadaway.

[@jZx09]

Hands down best character of this series. I will need to watch this again

[@Fleurdelys2525]

I effing love Caliban, the writing in this series, and Rory Kinnear's breathtaking performance of this character from his first moment on screen to his last in the season one finale.

[@LayneStaleyFan7]

I couldn't of said it any better myself man. Well said. Caliban is by far my favorite character on the show too. I just fucking love him. Maybe in part because I'm so twisted and dark inside too...lol.

[@JCaesar11]

I think this is one of the best shows if not the best ever. The breadth, depth and exploration of evil are handled superbly in an astoundingly well crafted show. I prefer it to anything I've ever seen.

[@KoshVader]

Caliban is amazing but he breaks my heart!

[@djintrospekt5715]

Caliban truly is the best character on this series. Love everything about him, even his Misfits-like appearance. He's a perfect example of how we are are all born good, but can be corrupted by the world if we allow it. Great acting by Rory Kinnear. His scenes always tug at my heart.

[@korsekil]

Much of his corruption, like in the book itself, stem from the cruelty of his creator. Victor, the creator, who cannot bear to raise or deal with his own creation, who cannot take responsibility for what he has created. Caliban acts like a monster because he was left empty, a hollow shell of a being without love, with nothing but brute power and yet the ability to feel. As he states here, he would have been better off an automaton of stone or steel.

[@Fleurdelys2525]

Rory has been nominated for his role in Penny Dreadful, as has Eva Green, and the series itself by an association of critics. I truly hope they win!

[@jessicagonzales4244]

"I would rather be the corpse I was, than the man I am." I'm not gonna cry. I'm not gonna cry. I'm not gonna cry. *I. can't. stop. CRYING!*

[@SAUNITRIES]

THIS. FRICK. He hits you where it hurts.

[@MonkeyboyR]

"Oh my creator, why did you not make me of steel and stone, why did you allow me to feel." *Bites fingers and cries*!!

[@KoshVader]

I want to enter the screen and cuddle Caliban because he deserves and needs it!

[@viviantriana5146]

my god, best speech of the season by far

[@jdunnatl]

"I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were equally distributed to the whole human family, there would not be one cheerful face on Earth." - Abraham Lincoln

[@ramosaral]

Incredible acting. Every time I watch this, his pain and suffering become mine; I feel each word to my bones. Rory Kinnear is one of the best actors in the world.

[@yukon9315]

I have never felt more empathy than watching this scene. He eloquently speaks everything I feel.

[@vardellsfolly5200]

.. he was the most human of them all..

[@kidproblem1]

Λαυρέντιος Ψαροκάηκας so true.

[@LucisFerre1]

There are a few scenes in the series due awards for quality of script and acting. This is one of them. Rory Kinnear is a brilliant actor.

[@Lichachron]

Such a wonderful performance. Great writing and acting too. From both actors. In such a short time, it evokes such a powerful feeling into your heart.

[@themagicman6965]

This series is so underrated its unbelievable. It should have won an Oscar for best series! Forget all the crap coming out on a daylie basis, I want Penny Dreadful 4!!!!

[@noneya11]

They are both beautiful and incredible actors. Their dynamic is my favorite from this series.

[@quidproquo786]

A truly magnificent performance. Hats off to you sir, hats off to you.

[@JJ-fu4by]

This scene crept up on out of no where and hit me hard. Great show.

[@kidproblem1]

Some of the most compelling acting I've ever witnessed

[@rockjm9876543210]

lani The whole show. That's why I started watching because the acting was insane.

[@zelastjoker]

And this is how I feel everyday... sigh.... this just this..... I can't get over it.I love Victor's expression at 0:24 "like holy shit, you just hit home for me." Despite the hate relationship between them, in this scene Caliban words were a reflection not only of his soul but of Victor's as well. Even though Victor stayed silent, the quiet exchange of emotion in his eyes was perfect for this. Everytime Caliban has been on screen and spoken his words resonated. I love Vanessa and all of the other characters dearly but Caliban , the acting is just on another level.

[@gladiolator7152]

I can watch Penny Dreadful everyday withouth getting bored!!! Please season 4!!!!!

[@KevinMartinez-]

Well there some good news for all us hardcore Penny Dreadful fans. The same director/writer is bringing Penny Dreadful back but it is set in the early 1900s but with a different cast. It's called Penny Dreadful City Of Angels. Wish my old cast were coming back but I am still happy my second favorite TV show of all time is coming back.

[@andrewbinnie5852]

Penny dreadful is one of the greatest gothic horror shows of all time

[@Darkness-Ash]

"Oh, my creator, why... Why did you not make me of steel and stone? Why did you allow me to feel? I would rather be the corpse I was than the man I am. " Very touching words.😔

[@DrSleepASMR]

2024. nothing can top this series ever for me. caliban broke my soul

[@DirectorEJJR]

"why did you allow me to feel?" Omg dude.

[@rouchineshelbi8559]

this whole damn scene .. god damn it goood damn iiiit "why did you allow me to feel" "I'd rather be the corpse I was than the man I am" just the thought that someone felt this way about himself is just ... the words fail to describe

[@baalrunner8194]

One of the most touching scenes I've ever watched... the series is extraordinary

[@TheKnight212]

There are some truly amazing moments in Penny Dreadful and this is defs one of them.

[@CelinaKyle143]

The script in this show is superb! I am so in awe of this scene. It makes me want to take acting classes!

[@SpookyApparition]

+CelinaKyle143 IMO, Penny Dreadful's scripting is the most poetic on TV. I've never seen a show that so often make terrible things sound beautiful.

[@CelinaKyle143]

+SpookyApparition yes!!!

[@trias100]

try hannibal

[@krystalpayne4501]

This gives me shivers every time I watch it. Penny Dreadful was an amazing show that ended too soon.

[@zichifes3292]

Caliban was poetry, everything he did, and everything that happened to him

[@JaimeGirl]

Utterly magnificent. Rory’s portrayal of Caliban was a tour de force. This monologue shows why-he shows all of the inner life of Caliban, the self awareness not just of what he had become but how he had gotten there. He shows the longing for the love of even one person, the yearning for acceptance that he knows now he will never get or even deserve. And in doing so, he shames his creator for his abandonment of the creature he brought into existence and then left him without any guidance or love, left him to a cruel fate. Bravo, Rory. Bravo.

[@Junksization]

Beautiful, the more sad you are when listening to this scene the more you can relate.

[@WinterCrow96]

"I would rather be the corpse I was, than the man I am." This part got inside my dark soul and made me cry like a little girl.

[@andrewsogomo3934]

This scene hit me right in the feels!! Nearly cried but i persevered through it. The shear emotional magic and awesomeness of the script begs for award-ship and recognition of the genius behind it notwithstanding the brilliant acting by Rory Kinnear. God bless this show. Talking us back to when poetry and life walked hand in hand.

[@DirectorEJJR]

"I would rather be the corpse I was than the man I am" I grew up emo but holy shit dude...

[@constructor2763]

Absolutely magnificent.

[@relupo2446]

Just 2 words: Outstanding Acting!

[@Thewilliamsrodriguez]

When you perform this sililoque for my drama class and it made a fellow student shed tears. thats how powerful this scene and writing is. so sad to see PD is no longer continued :/ love this show.

[@roxanneperdue1288]

Completely heartbreaking

[@marv5078]

The most amazing acting i have ever seen

[@olivierkato]

Superb, simply superb!

[@darrenormsby3034]

how Rory Kinnear never got nominated for an Emmy Award when Kit Harrington got one is beyond me. His portrayal of John Clare/Caliban and interactions with Eva Green are some of the finest performances ever on the small screen. Very underrated actor

[@stephenblack5425]

I just wanna give John Clare a huge hug. ❤️😭

[@soldierside365]

I'm sure there was more to that speech? Or maybe I lost all sense of time in my complete immersion in this speech. This was truely one of the finest pieces of acting I've ever witnessed. I've never felt such emotion from any tv performance before this. This whole series was genius. I cannot wait for the next series

[@danniruthvan3265]

No. That was all. Then Victor puts away the gun and places his hand on his shoulder. Then they both get tears in their eyes (although maybe that was just me).

[@soldierside365]

Yes, you're right, re-recorded the final episode and watched it several times over ;)

[@myfirstnamemylastname1395]

It's started a bit earlier does it not?

[@soldierside365]

nope, no matter how many times I watch it, still get teary..

[@MarijaVujovic1]

I agree. It was despicable of Victor to reject him and not love him.

[@shrishtithakur6325]

What dreams I had of my mate. Of another being, looking into these eyes, upon this face, and recoiling not. But how could that happen? For the monster is not in my face, but in my soul. I once thought that if I was like other men, I would be happy and loved. The malignance has grown, you see, from the outside in, and this shattered visage merely reflects the abomination that is my heart. Oh, my creator, why... Why did you not make me of steel and stone? Why did you allow me to feel? I would rather be the corpse I was than the man I am.

[@CelinaKyle143]

I have this scene memorized word for word. I sometimes come to this video to listen to it and it makes me tear up every time. Anybody else watching this in 2022?

[@SirQnknown]

Many still do!

[@larry1824]

Acting notches higher than normal tv on eithetr side of big pond. Kinnear mesmerizing

[@SirMASUM]

Simply beautiful

[@charlieholmes4734]

This is one of the most beautiful but incredibly sad thing I've ever heard anyone say. He's so good with words

[@deemcglynn3332]

What a fantastic 4minute piece of television his acting is sublime here it was so emotional .the only thing I can compare it to is tryion in games of throne trail speech and when tryion was talking to obryan .well done sir on your terrific acting here

[@The_Republic_of_Ireland]

Now this...this is fantastic dialogue on an entirely new scale. It's poetic almost

[@nikgml]

Rory, you are a hell of an actor!

[@tghadi]

The single most powerful scene I've seen on a TV series

[@kennedyK94]

"I would rather be the corspe I was, than the man I am." Kills me everytime. This show is beautiful and nothing will ever top it.

[@chance2012rocks1]

All that time that Caliban spent alone. Relearning the world through that window, reading through Victor’s books and coming to terms and understanding with himself and his emotions. Shows so much in this part! His expressions of the man he is and has has become since his rebirth (so to speak) is so captivating. You can’t help but empathize with his as victor does. Rory played this part AMAZINGLY!!!! Wish the series went a little longer exploring and bring in new characters.

[@Mehki227]

More heart and soul than any other character.

[@Subtil9]

oscar pls...

[@srikant49]

i came after a long while, a couple of years perhaps..but being i non-english speaking demography, this show inspired me to read more and learn more for that instance..

[@ArmagedonNoise]

His performance has utterly destroyed my former bias against Frankenstein's adaptations, perhaps I'm growing fond of this show, but I cannot find any flaw in this scene. " I would rather be the corpse I was than the man I am "

[@1juubito]

Just beautiful!

[@IrvineGray]

Huh. So that's what having your heart be shattered into a million pieces feels like.

[@tikletik]

IrvineGray awwww. that was a beautiful thing to say

[@pweiboss]

I guess we know how Proteus feels

[@SAUNITRIES]

+Tim Keown I think you're referring to your heart being split in two.........

[@tikletik]

Tim Keown lol I'd feel worse for Caliban, but the truth is, he's an emo bitch.

[@nerdieone1]

+tikletik Not really, his character is true to Victorian literature.

[@Ribonchan]

I've never seen this show before but seeing this clip makes me want to. I was crying my eyes out listening to this powerful performance.

[@charlieholmes4734]

Frankenstein finally realizes the pain caliban is in

[@TechnicJunglist]

Brilliant show & acting. I was so sad to see it go.

[@sumbulahmed7007]

Easily one of the best scenes throughout the entire series. Such an amazing adaption of the real character from the novel. I was drowning in my own tears, that's how powerful his acting is. Although I did enjoy Proteus more, Caliban is great.

[@ellielindsey7454]

This scene is my favorite, I think, out of so many wonderful scenes...

[@feywildgamingyt]

That little "Why did you allow me to feel?" Stabbed me straight through the heart

[@regency08]

Rory entrances when he's on screen. Wow.

[@SparkleKnits]

The best actor in a brilliant cast. Amazing performance.

[@kidhalloween8570]

This is a masterclass of acting

[@onurkarakose5751]

''Me miserable! Which way shall I fly Infinite wrath, and infinite despair? Which way I fly is Hell; myself am Hell; And, in the lowest deep, a lower deep Still threatening to devour me opens wide, To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heaven.'' Paradise Lost Book IV

[@jamessedgwick9183]

Caliban is a wonderful character. This scene is dead on with the remorse he feels. Just like in the novel. I am STILL mad at him for killing Proteus. LOL

[@tikletik]

James Sedgwick I know, it actually hurts me that he murdered Van Helsing. Now in the new series I feel pain every time I see him, because it hurts me that he is probably going to hurt someone else.

[@korsekil]

Like in the books, most of the blame lies with Victor. It's clear that Caliban / the Creature only wanted acceptance, and being shunned and left to deal with the world without his memories left him horribly confused and broken and viciously angry at his creator for it.

[@KoshVader]

@@korsekil Yeah, let's not also forget that he seems to struggle with managing his emotions probably because he's only two years old. It's kind of like a toddler having a temper tantrum but with the ability to comprehend his place in the world. That's the tragedy of the character.

[@tomgg9641]

What a TV show !!!

[@Buzz0Killington]

Oh God! What the fuck is this in my eyes?