The Libertine (2004)

Samantha Morton: Elizabeth Barry

Photos 

Quotes 

• Rochester : This is your first season on the London stage?

  Elizabeth Barry : It is, my lord.

  Rochester : Mrs. Barry, you must acquire the trick of ignoring those who do not like you. In my experience, those who do not like you fall into two categories: The stupid and the envious. The stupid will like you in five years time. The envious, never.

• Elizabeth Barry : May I always be in your heart, sometimes in your thoughts, but *never* in your debt.

• Rochester : I wish to be moved. I cannot feel in life. I must have others do it for me here in the theatre.

  Elizabeth Barry : You are spoken of as a man with a stomach for life.

  Rochester : I am the cynic of our golden age. This bounteous dish, which our great Charles and our great God have more or less in equal measure placed before us, sets my teeth permanently on edge. Life has no purpose. It is everywhere undone by arbitrariness. I do this and it matters not a jot if I do the opposite. But in the playhouse every action, good or bad, has it's consequences. Drop a handkerchief and it will return to smother you. The theatre is my drug. And my illness is so far advanced that my physic must be of the highest quality.

  Elizabeth Barry : My lord, on these conditions, I endeavour to do what you want.

• Rochester : I am come to train you... in your acting.

  Elizabeth Barry : So you said when we first met, but your reputation being what it is, I thought you meant something different.

  Rochester : I have, I hope, many reputations.

• Rochester : Ah, to die onstage at the hands of a beautiful woman.

  Elizabeth Barry : I am no such!

• Elizabeth Barry : You see? I have gone too far. A trait which in you is *fascinating* but in me is a fault.

• Rochester : If you had ever loved a man, you would say that speech with regret because you would fear the loss of him.

  Elizabeth Barry : And supposing I have loved?

  Rochester : Then show me in the speech.

• Elizabeth Barry : You could buy my slit for a pound a night, sir. I would not mind that. But I think you would not have it, sir. What I think you want is power over me, which I do bridle at.

• Elizabeth Barry : I will not swap my certain glory for your undependable love.