What does Soliloquy mean?
Soliloquy refers to a dramatic speech delivered by a character in a play or film, typically when they are alone on stage or in a scene. The soliloquy reveals the character’s inner thoughts, feelings, and motivations directly to the audience, offering deeper insight into their mindset. This theatrical device is often used in classical plays, particularly in the works of Shakespeare. A soliloquy differs from a monologue in that it is directed more toward the audience than other characters in the scene.
Example:In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the famous “To be or not to be” speech is a soliloquy, where Hamlet contemplates life and death while speaking directly to the audience.
Example: An actor rehearses a soliloquy for a stage production, using the speech to express their character’s internal conflict without interacting with other performers.
Did You Know?
Soliloquies are still used in modern films and TV shows to give audiences insight into a character’s thoughts, often through internal monologue!
