[Ficlet] Out, Damned Spot! (Severus, PG.)

[cravache]

Title: Out, Damned Spot!
Characters: Severus.
Rating: PG.
Words: Roughly 700.
Disclaimer: I don't own, so don't sue.
A/N: Written for switchknife. For the First Impressions challenge. Heavy spoilers for HBP.

Comments

[switchknife]

Oh, Toni. Oh. That's... that's heartbreaking. And so Shakespearean; Severus' internal monologue here seems remarkably like Richard III's monologue in that nightmare scene in Shakespeare's play.

In fact, let me quote the whole thing at you, since it feels so relevant:

O coward Conscience? How dost thou afflict me?
The Lights burn blue. It is not dead midnight.
Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh.
What? Do I fear my Self? There's none else by,
Richard loves Richard, that is, I am I.
Is there a Murderer here? No; Yes, I am:
Then fly; What, from my Self? Great reason: why?
Lest I Revenge. What? My Self upon my Self?
Alack, I love my Self. Wherefore? For any good
That I my Self, have done unto my Self?
O no. Alas, I rather hate my Self,
For hateful Deeds committed by my Self.
I am a Villain: yet I lie, I am not.
Fool, of thy Self speak well: Fool, do not flatter.
My Conscience hath a thousand several Tongues,
And every Tongue brings in a several Tale,
And every Tale condemns me for a Villain;
Perjury, in the high'st Degree,
Murder, stern murder, in the dir'st degree,
All several sins, all us'd in each degree,
Throng all to'th' Barre, crying all, Guilty, Guilty.
I shall despair, there is no Creature loves me;
And if I die, no soul shall pity me.
Nay, wherefore should they? Since that I my Self,
Find in my Self, no pity to my Self.

That's my favourite monologue of all time, and you've captured its spirit, here. Inevitable guilt, neverending guilt, self-hatred without escape...

*weeps*

[cravache]

:O It is so uncanny you mention this monologue, as I was thinking of this when I was reading HBP, that part where Snape is screaming at Potter about him not being a coward. I simply adore Richard III, and this monologue, like you, has always been one of my favourites in Shakespearean literature. The utmost pinnacle of human brokenness is both fascinating and devastating.

I'm glad you liked it. :) Thank you so much for reading.

♥