English 9 / Unit 5: Drama and Shakespeare
5.2 Monologue, Soliloquy and Aside
Notes
Plays have special speeches that reveal characters' thoughts.
| Term | Who hears it | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Monologue | Other characters on stage | A long speech to others |
| Soliloquy | Audience only; speaker is alone | Reveals private thoughts aloud |
| Aside | Audience (others on stage do not hear) | A short comment, often creating dramatic irony |
- Asides are often marked [Aside] in the script.
- Soliloquies let the audience into a character's mind, since plays have no narrator.
Practice
A character alone on stage speaks his private fears aloud. This is a(n):
A soliloquy is spoken alone, revealing inner thoughts.
During a party scene, a character turns to the audience and says, "If only they knew I stole the ring," while the other guests keep talking. This is a(n):
A brief remark heard only by the audience is an aside.
A general gives a long speech to rally his soldiers on stage. This is a:
A long speech to other characters is a monologue.
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