definition of monologue essay

• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Use a Monologue

I. What is a Monologue?

A monologue is a speech given by a single character in a story. In drama, it is the vocalization of a character’s thoughts; in literature, the verbalization. It is traditionally a device used in theater—a speech to be given on stage—but nowadays, its use extends to film and television.

II. Example of a Monologue

A monologue speaks at people, not with people. Many plays and shows involving performers begin with a single character giving a monologue to the audience before the plot or action begins. For example, envision a ringleader at a circus…

Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls!

Tonight, your faces will glow with wonder

As you witness some of the greatest acts ever seen in the ring!

Beauties and beasts, giants and men, dancers and daredevils

Will perform before your very eyes

Some of the most bold and wondrous stunts

You’ve yet beheld!

Watch, now,

As they face fire and water,

Depths and heights,

Danger and fear…

The ringleader’s speech is directed to the audience. His monologue helps him build anticipation and excitement in his viewers while he foreshadows some of the thrills the performance will contain.

A monologue doesn’t have to be at the start or end of a play, show, or movie—on the contrary, they occur all of the time. Imagine a TV series about a group of young friends, and on this episode, one friend has been being a bully. The group is telling jokes about some of the things the bully has done to other kids at school, when one girl interrupts everyone…

You know, I don’t think what you are doing is funny. In fact, I think it is sad. You think you’re cool because you grew faster than some people, and now you can beat them up? What is cool about hurting people? We are all here pretending that you’re a leader, when really, I know that you’re nothing but a mean bully! All this time I’ve been scared to say that, but just now, I realized that I’m not afraid of bullies—so, I won’t be afraid of you!

When a conversation stops and shifts focus to a single character’s speech, it is usually a sign of a monologue. In this situation, a group conversation between friends turns into one girl’s response; a monologue addressing bullying and the bully himself.

III. Types of Monologues

A. soliloquy.

A speech that a character gives to himself—as if no one else is listening — which voices his inner thoughts aloud. Basically, a soliloquy captures a character talking to himself at length out loud . Of course, the audience (and sometimes other characters) can hear the speech, but the person talking to himself is unaware of others listening. For example, in comedy, oftentimes a character is pictured giving themselves a lengthy, uplifting speech in the mirror…while a friend is secretly watching them and laughing. The soliloquy is one of the most fundamental dramatic devices used by Shakespeare in his dramas .  

B. Dramatic Monologue

A speech that is given directly to the audience or another character. It can be formal or informal, funny or serious; but it is almost always significant in both length and purpose. For example, a scene that captures a president’s speech to a crowd exhibits a dramatic monologue that is both lengthy and important to the story’s plotline. In fact, in TV, theater ,and film, all speeches given by a single character—to an audience, the audience, or even just one character—are dramatic monologues .

C. Internal Monologue

The expression of a character’s thoughts so that the audience can witness (or read, in literature) what is going on inside that character’s mind. It is sometimes (depending on the style in) referred to as “stream-of-consciousness.” In a piece of writing, internal monologues can often be easily identified by italicized blocks of text that express a character’s inner thoughts. On TV and in films, internal monologues are usually spoken in the character’s voice, but without seeing him actually speak; thus giving the feeling of being able to hear his thoughts .

IV. Importance of Monologues

Monologues give the audience and other characters access to what a particular character is thinking, either through a speech or the vocalization of their thoughts. While the purpose of a speech is obvious, the latter is particularly useful for characterization : it aids the audience in developing an idea about what the character is really thinking, which in turn helps (or can later help) explain their previous (or future) actions and behavior.

V. Examples of Monologue in Literature

As a technique principally used on the stage (or screen), the best examples of monologues in literature are found in dramatic literature, most notably in Shakespeare’s dramas. Below is selection of arguably the most famous monologue in literature— soliloquy , specifically—from Act III Scene I of the tragedy Hamlet . This soliloquy begins with the well-known words “To be, or not to be- that is the question:”

HAMLET To be, or not to be- that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them. To die- to sleep- No more; and by a sleep to say we end The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to. ‘Tis a consummation Devoutly to be wish’d. To die- to sleep. To sleep- perchance to dream: ay, there’s the rub! For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause. There’s the respect That makes calamity of so long life.

This scene reveals to the audience that Hamlet is contemplating suicide. His words express an internal thought process that we would normally not be able to witness. The only reason that Shakespeare has Hamlet speak these words out loud is so that the audience—not anyone else in the play—can hear them. He uses a soliloquy to share Hamlet’s unstable state of mind and disquieting thoughts.

In Mark Twain’s short story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County,” the narrator is sent to find a man named Simon Wheeler, who will tell him a story. After the narrator introduces the premise, he explains that he let Wheeler “go on in his own way, and never interrupted him once.” He follows with Wheeler’s story, told in Wheeler’s voice, which he achieves through the shift in the style of speech. Below is a small piece of the story:

There was a feller here once by the name of  Jim  Smiley, in the winter of ’49—or may be it was the spring of ’50—I don’t recollect exactly, somehow, though what makes me think it was one or the other is because I remember the big flume wasn’t finished when he first came to the camp; but any way he was the curiosest man about always betting on any thing that turned up you ever see, if he could get anybody to bet on the other side; and if he couldn’t, he’d change sides. Any way that suited the other man would suit him—any way just so’s he got a bet,  he  was satisfied. But still he was lucky, uncommon lucky; he most always come out winner.

Mark Twain was a literary genius when it came to storytelling—he could make the page seem like a stage with the way he used spelling and grammar to bring a character’s accent and personality to life. Wheeler’s story is a dramatic monologue , which Twain used to achieve the feeling of a real storytelling exchange between two people. His employment of this dramatic technique in this short story makes the readers feel like they are hearing Wheeler’s story firsthand.

VI. Examples of Monologue in Pop Culture

Oftentimes, a conversation occurs between characters and then shifts to one character giving a significant speech. This is a popular way of inserting a monologue into a scene. In this scene from Season 5 Episode 10 of the TV horror The Walking Dead , the group is talking around the campfire:

Every day he woke up and told himself, ‘Rest in peace; now get up and go to war,’” says Rick. “After a few years of pretending he was dead, he made it out alive. That’s the trick of it, I think. We do what we need to do, and then we get to live. No matter what we find in D.C., I know we’ll be okay. This is how we survive: We tell ourselves that we are the walking dead. -Rick Grimes

Here, Rick’s monologue begins when the dialogue ceases to be a group discussion. Now he alone is speaking to the group—he is giving a dramatic monologue .

In one of the most popular Christmas movies to date, A Christmas Story , the protagonist Ralphie is also the narrator. However, the narration is internal: Ralphie isn’t speaking directly to us, but he is openly letting us in on his thoughts.

As you’ve now heard in this clip, Ralphie’s voice is that of an adult man, and that’s why the narration style in this film is unique—adult Ralphie is simultaneously reflecting on the past and reenacting present-Ralphie’s thoughts. The mental debate he has about who taught him the curse word and what to tell his mother is an internal monologue : we can hear his thoughts; thus the situation is funnier and more thought provoking.

VIII. Related Terms

An aside is when a character briefly pauses to speak directly to the audience, but no other characters are aware of it. It is very similar to a monologue; however, the primary difference between the two is that an aside is very short ; it can be just one word, or a couple of sentences, but it is always brief—monologues are substantial in length. Furthermore, an aside is always said directly to the audience, usually accomplished (in film and television) by looking directly into the camera. As an example, asides are a key part of the style of the Netflix series House of Cards ; the main character Francis Underwood often looks directly into the camera and openly addresses the audience as if they are present, while the other characters do not know that the audience exists.

While a monologue is a given by one character (“mono”=single), a dialogue is a conversation that occurs between two or more characters. Monologues and dialogues are similar in that they both deliver language to the audience. For instance, in a movie, a race winner’s speech is a monologue, however, a speech collectively given by several members of a team is dialogue. Both techniques can address the audience, but the difference lies in how many people are speaking.

In conclusion, monologues (and dialogues) are arguably the most fundamental parts of onstage drama and dramatic literature. Without them, essentially only silent film and theater could exist, as monologues provide the only way for the audience to witness a character’s thoughts.

List of Terms

• Alliteration
• Amplification
• Anachronism
• Anthropomorphism
• Antonomasia
• APA Citation
• Aposiopesis
• Autobiography
• Bildungsroman
• Characterization
• Circumlocution
• Cliffhanger
• Comic Relief
• Connotation
• Deus ex machina
• Deuteragonist
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Dramatic irony
• Equivocation
• Extended Metaphor
• Figures of Speech
• Flash-forward
• Foreshadowing
• Intertextuality
• Juxtaposition
• Literary Device
• Malapropism
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Point of View
• Polysyndeton
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Rhetorical Device
• Rhetorical Question
• Science Fiction
• Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
• Synesthesia
• Turning Point
• Understatement
• Urban Legend
• Verisimilitude
• Essay Guide
• Cite This Website

• Scriptwriting

What is a Monologue — Definition, Examples & Types Explained

S ome of the most iconic lines in the history of literature and cinema have come from monologues. As a character spills their thoughts and emotions into a speech, they often create memorable lines that connect to characters and the audience. In this article, we’ll take a look at some iconic monologues and analyze what exactly a monologue is. We’ll also take a look at the three types of monologues with examples of each. Let’s dive in.

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What is a Monologue

First, let’s define monologue .

Screenwriting is a skill but writing dialogue is an art unto itself. What writer wouldn't want to indulge in a flowing and expansive speech? Well, as most writing teachers will tell you, this is an indulgence one should only partake in when necessary. A successful monologue, in other words, is a strategic one.

MONOLOGUE DEFINITION

What is a monologue.

A monologue is a long form speech delivered by a single character in a play or a film. The term monologue derives from the Greek words “ monos ” which translates to “alone” and “ logos ” which means “speech.” These speeches are used by writers to express a character’s thoughts, emotions, or ideas. Depending on what type of monologue is used, the character can be addressing themself, another character, or the audience. 

Types of Monologues:

What is a monologue used for, what is the purpose of a monologue.

A story is made up of bits of information that is communicated to the audience over time. When it comes to information regarding a character’s thoughts or emotions, a monologue is effective at efficiently communicating this info to the audience and/or to another character. 

A monologue is often the vocalization of a character’s thoughts giving insight that reveals details about a story’s plot or its characters. This character’s speech in and of itself can propel the story forward based on how other characters react to it and what events are caused by it. 

A great example of this can be found in the Good Will Hunting script . Will (Matt Damon) is resistant to any court mandated therapist. However, this monologue by Sean (Robin Williams) caused Will to finally be open to meeting further with him.

We brought the iconic monologue into StudioBinder's screenwriting software to analyze it further. Click the image below to read the entire scene. With writing this good, no wonder this script won the Oscar.

Good Will Hunting script  •   Read the entire scene

As you can see, this monologue does multiple things simultaneously for the film’s story. It reveals exposition about Sean. We learn he is a veteran, that he loved his wife deeply, and that he lost his wife to cancer.

At the same time, the monologue propels the plot forward by allowing Sean to finally break through to Will. 

Good monologues will either reveal character information or plot info. A great monologue will reveal both while moving the story forward all at the same time. Let’s take a look at the different types of monologues you can use in your own work. 

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• Fundamental Ways to Write ‘Realistic’ Dialogue →
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What is a Monologue in Literature and Film?

Types of monologues.

It is important to understand the type of monologues and their unique properties. There are three different types of monologues that are all defined by who the monologue is delivered to. Who the monologue is delivered to also influences the content of the monologue. 

What is the difference between a monologue and a soliloquy? This is a great place to start. A soliloquy is a type of monologue in which a character delivers a long speech to themself rather than to another character or to the audience. In a way, a soliloquy is a character talking to themself trying to analyze their own thoughts, emotions, or predicament. 

One of the most famous excerpts from any play in history is in fact a soliloquy from Shakespeare’s Hamlet . In this iconic soliloquy, sometimes known as the to be or not to be monologue Hamlet ponders life and death and whether the hardships of life are too difficult to manage. 

To be, or not to be, that is the question:

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

Or to take arms against a sea of troubles

And by opposing end them. To die—to sleep,

No more; and by a sleep to say we end

The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks

That flesh is heir to: 'tis a consummation

Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;

To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there's the rub:

For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,

When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,

Must give us pause—there's the respect

That makes calamity of so long life.

For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,

Th'oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,

The pangs of dispriz'd love, the law's delay,

The insolence of office, and the spurns

That patient merit of th'unworthy takes,

When he himself might his quietus make

With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear,

To grunt and sweat under a weary life,

But that the dread of something after death,

The undiscovere'd country, from whose bourn

No traveller returns, puzzles the will,

And makes us rather bear those ills we have

Than fly to others that we know not of?

Thus conscience doth make cowards of us all,

And thus the native hue of resolution

Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,

And enterprises of great pith and moment

With this regard their currents turn awry

And lose the name of action.

From this monologue example, you can see that soliloquies are often the most genuine and honest because a character is talking to themself and has no reason to lie. So the reliability behind the monologue is not questioned by the audience. 

Dramatic monologue

A monologue that is delivered by a character to another character or to the audience is defined as a dramatic dialogue. Dramatic dialogues are long in length and often unbroken by the speech of other characters. 

These are the most common monologues found in film since characters deliver monologues mainly to other characters. While dramatic monologues in both film and plays are commonly delivered to other characters, they can also be delivered directly to the audience if the fourth wall is broken . 

One of the best movie monologues from Call Me By Your Name is a showstopper. Delivered by a pitch-perfect Michael Stuhlbarg, this speech has everything you’d want in a monologue. It feels natural yet important, and it is informed both by the reactions of Elio and Mr. Perlman’s own internal struggles. Give it a watch:

Call Me By Your Name  •  a monologue from a movie

Internal monologue.

An internal monologue is a type of monologue in which a character’s thoughts are expressed but not vocalized in the world of the story. In literature, this is often expressed in italicized paragraphs to indicate that the words are not spoken out loud. In a play, this can be delivered as an aside. In film, an internal monologue is delivered through voice over as a way for the audience to witness the thoughts of a character. 

This brilliant internal monologue from one of Charlie Kaufman’s best films Adaptation gives us insight into what the character is thinking. This is then immediately and ironically ridiculed by the speaker in the scene. 

McKee monologue

And here's the scene from the script. A bit of screenwriting about how to be a great screenwriter!

Adaptation Monologue Example  •   Read Full Scene

Like the irony underscores in the scene, internal monologues and voice over can be dangerous and ineffective when used as a crutch. But when used cleverly as it is in this example by Charlie Kaufman, it can elevate the creativity of a film and how it connects to an audience.

How to Write ‘Realistic’ Dialogue

Monologues in film are most commonly delivered within a larger dialogue scene. A part of creating a memorable monologue is by writing great dialogue that frames it. In our next article, we lay out some fundamental tips to writing realistic, compelling dialogue. 

Up Next: Writing ‘Realistic’ Dialogue →

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Literary Devices

Literary devices, terms, and elements, definition of monologue.

A monologue is a speech that one character delivers aloud to express his or her inner thoughts. Monologue examples are most frequently found in drama , though can be found in movies and poems as well. Characters generally present their monologues either to another character or to the audience in the understanding that other characters are able to hear them.

The word monologue comes from the Greek word μονόλογος ( monologos ), which means “solitary speech” or “a speech made when alone.” The definition of monologue dates back to Ancient Greek drama, where it was a foundational element of theater.

Difference Between Monologue, Soliloquy, Apostrophe, and Aside

The literary devices of monologue, soliloquy , apostrophe , and aside are all quite similar in that that involve a single character saying something for at least a slightly extended period of time. There are key differences between them, however:

• Monologue : Delivered by one character to other characters, or at least overheard by other characters if delivered to the audience.
• Soliloquy : Delivered alone by one character without any other characters overhearing.
• Aside : Delivered directly to the audience without any other characters overhearing, the aside is a very short observation, whereas a soliloquy is a longer explanation of the character’s thoughts.
• Apostrophe : A character breaks off from addressing one character to address a third party who may either be present or absent in the scene, or even to an inanimate object or intangible concept.

Common Examples of Monologue

Though a monologue only occurs in works of literature and entertainment, a monologue is very similar to the majority of speeches made by famous people and politicians. The function is similar: to explain the orator’s thoughts, spur the listeners to action, or mark a transition such as someone new coming to power or someone retiring. Here are a few famous speeches with those functions:

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain’t I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain’t I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man – when I could get it – and bear the lash as well! And ain’t I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain’t I a woman?

—Sojourner Truth, “Ain’t I a Woman” speech, 1851 Women’s Convention

We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender…

—Winston Churchill, “We Shall Fight on the Beaches” speech, June 4, 1940

Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth. I have been in ballparks for 17 years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans….So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for.

—Lou Gehrig, “Luckiest Man” speech, July 4, 1939

Significance of Monologue in Literature

Monologues have a very important role in the history of theater. Drama developed first with the convention of there being only one character on stage as well as a chorus. Thus, dialogue was not a part of the very earliest plays. Indeed, monologues were the only way that information was communicated in very early Greek drama. Playwrights later expanded the convention to have two characters on stage, accompanied by the chorus, which grew to three characters (the protagonist , deuteragonist, and the tritagonist).

Monologue has remained important in dramatic works. There are examples of monologues in plays both ancient and contemporary, and from many different cultures. Monologues are often used to stand in for the passage of time, which otherwise can be difficult to demonstrate in theater, and are also often used as entrances and exits by characters. Some monologues can be used to spur action in other characters, while others just tell a story or explain information.

Examples of Monologue in Literature

OEDIPUS: I care not for thy counsel or thy praise; For with what eyes could I have e’er beheld My honoured father in the shades below, Or my unhappy mother, both destroyed By me? This punishment is worse than death, And so it should be. Sweet had been the sight Of my dear children–them I could have wished To gaze upon; but I must never see Or them, or this fair city, or the palace Where I was born.

( Oedipus the King by Sophocles)

This example of monologue comes from just after the climax in Sophocles’s tragedy Oedipus the King in which Oedipus realizes he has murdered his own father. Oedipus has blinded himself to begin his atonement. In this monologue he explains that his own actions constitute his punishment, as he will never be able to forgive himself for what he’s done. Thus, the function of this monologue is to describe his inner thoughts and emotions.

KING HENRY V: This story shall the good man teach his son; And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remembered- We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition; And gentlemen in England now-a-bed Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.

( Henry V by William Shakespeare)

King Henry V’s “St. Crispin’s Day speech” is one of the most famous monologue examples in all of Shakespeare’s works, and indeed of theater. The purpose of this monologue is to spur Henry’s men on to action and get them ready for the next day’s battle. This monologue gives the troops confidence and pride in order that they may triumph against difficult odds.

Let us go then, you and I, When the evening is spread out against the sky Like a patient etherized upon a table; Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets, The muttering retreats Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells: Streets that follow like a tedious argument Of insidious intent To lead you to an overwhelming question … Oh, do not ask, “What is it?” Let us go and make our visit.

(“The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot)

This is an example of a dramatic monologue from a poem. The narrator of T.S. Eliot addresses someone who is not the reader, which is clear from the very first line when he says, “Let us go then, you and I.” Monologues are less common in poetry because they necessitate the inclusion of characters, which are not a fundamental part of poetry the way they are in plays and novels. T.S. Eliot demonstrates the dramatic possibilities of monologue in poetry in “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” in that the narrator expresses his true feelings for his lover.

Test Your Knowledge of Monologue

1. Which of the following statements is the best monologue definition? A. A speech that a single character makes which reveals his or her inner thoughts. B. An interruption in a conversation for a character to address another character, inanimate object, or concept. C. A direct address to the audience.

2. Which of the following statements about monologues is true? A. Monologues only occur in theatrical tragedy. B. Monologues are presented by a single character without any other characters on stage. C. Monologues predate dialogue in theater.

3. Which of the following situations from a William Shakespeare play is an example of a monologue? A. Gloucester comes onstage alone during Richard III and presents his famous speech beginning with “Now is the winter of our discontent.” B. Portia dresses herself as a lawyer in The Merchant of Venice and speaks to the courtroom about the nature of mercy in her famous speech beginning with, “The quality of mercy is not strained.” C. Romeo goes to Juliet’s balcony, sees the light on inside and remarks, “But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”

Definition of Monologue

Monologue comes from the Greek words monos , which means “alone,” and logos , which means “speech.” It is a literary device that is the speech or verbal presentation given by a single character in order to express his or her collection of thoughts and ideas aloud. Often such a character speaks directly to audience , or to another character . Monologues are found in dramatic medium like films and plays, and also in non-dramatic medium like poetry.

Types of Monologue

There are two types of monologue:

Interior Monologue

In interior monologue, a character externalizes his thoughts, so that the audience can experience his internal thoughts. Often found in plays, movies, and novels, this technique is also called a “ stream of consciousness .” Internal monologue can bebroken further into two categories: direct and indirect. In a direct interior monologue, an author does not show his presence, and directly reveals his character . In an indirect interior monologue, an author appears as a commentator, guide, presenter, and selector.

Dramatic Monologue

In this type of monologue, a character speaks to the silent listener. This type has theatrical qualities, hence, it is known as dramatic monologue, and is frequently used in poetry.

Difference Between a Monologue and a Soliloquy

Monologue and soliloquy are similar, as both are speeches presented by a single person. But a major difference between them is that, in monologue, the speaker reveals his thoughts to the audience , or to any other character ; whereas in a soliloquy , the speaker expresses his thoughts to himself, and it does not involve any other characters.

Examples of Monologue in Literature

Example #1: the love song of j. alfred prufrock (by t. s. eliot).

“And indeed there will be time To wonder, ‘Do I dare?’ and, ‘Do I dare?’ Time to turn back and descend the stair, With a bald spot in the middle of my hair … In a minute there is time For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.’”

This entire poem is written in the form of a dramatic monologue, in which the poet is trying to explore the causes of pain and suffering of an insecure young man who is confused about whether or not he should attend a party. Eliot reveals his thoughts to the audience about how Prufrock feels that, if he goes to the party, it might disturb the entire universe.

Example #2: My Last Duchess (By Robert Browning)

“Even had you skill In speech—(which I have not)—to make your will Quite clear to such an one, and say, ‘Just this Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss, Or there exceed the mark’ — and if she let Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse, —E’en then would be some stooping …”

This poem also presents an example of a dramatic monologue, as it has a theatrical quality in which the poet expresses his viewpoint through the speech of his character . The single speaker is addressing the servant of a count.

Example #3: Romeo and Juliet (By ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ William Shakespeare)

“But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief … O that I were a glove upon that hand, That I might touch that cheek!”

This is a famous balcony scene in which Romeo hides in the garden of the Capulet family, and waits for a glimpse of his beloved Juliet. When she comes out on the balcony, Romeo uses monologue, sharing his thoughts with the audience .

Example #4: Mrs. Dalloway (By­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Virginia Woolf)

In her novel, Mrs. Dalloway , Virginia Woolf has presented her characters by using the technique of stream of consciousness , or interior monologue. The consciousness of characters moves backward and forward. Woolf has molded and shaped their personalities at critical moments through interior monologue. Her particular deployment of this technique consists of authorial interjections to provide guidance to the readers and give shape to the narrative .

Function of Monologue

The purpose of writing in monologue is to convey an idea or viewpoint through words. However, sometimes we notice a tricky part of a writer’s expression, as the opinions of speaker and writer do not match, because he tries to convince the audience , and may not tell the exact reality. It allows readers to move from one character to another, and to have insight into their imaginations. A monologue serves as a basic source through which writers express their emotions and thoughts.

MONOLOGUE ESSAY WRITING

What is a monologue and do you know how to write a monologue essay? What does ‘monologue’ mean? Writing a monologue adds something interesting and creative to the typical essay. It involves a sole narrator reflecting on an event or issue and expressing their views uninterrupted to the audience. Although the essay structure of a monologue is consistent with that of a typical essay, it also needs a personal touch. 

First, as you think about the introduction to the essay, consider which perspective you will choose as you go about writing the monologue and the situation that it will revolve around. For example, if a character who has spent his/her life in the countryside has moved to New York City, the monologue could focus on his/her reflections from when he first arrived and tried to get himself situated in his/her new surroundings. Think about the personality of the character you have chosen. Writing ideas and taking notes about important events in that person's life and the circumstances that led him/her to move to New York.

At this point, you should have formed a general understanding about how to write a monologue. Now we can move to the middle part of your essay, which could be thought of as the body of the paper. Whether thinking aloud or introspectively, consider the ideas and circumstances related to the situation. For example, the character who has just moved to New York City could discuss how it differs from his/her small town in Indiana and the anxieties that he/she feels as he/she enters a new chapter in life. 

The conclusion of the monologue can go in a few directions. In some cases, it can be a genuine conclusion in which a particular situation gets resolved. For instance, the person who moved to New York City concludes that he/she has found his/her place. On the other hand, some conclusions to the essay do not have to be a genuine conclusion at all. It could be full of uncertainty, which forces the audience to determine for themselves how the story truly ends. The nice thing about the monologue essay is that it can be subjective and open to interpretation unlike, say, a research paper that has to wrap things up nicely. 

Now that you have read this article, you should have a better idea about how to write a monologue essay that captivates the audience! 

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Reflective Writing Assignment One

How to Write a Monologue: Tips and Examples

Hello, dear readers. So you want to write a monologue? We assume that’s why you’re here. And you’re in the right place! In this article, you’ll learn all about what exactly a monologue is, its purpose in literature and media, and how to write your very own. 

Tune in to learn the secrets behind a great monologue. 

What Is a Monologue?

Firstly, what exactly is a monologue? And what is its purpose? There are different types of monologue that you may wish to know about before deciding which kind you will write. Let's dive in.

Definition of Monologue

A monologue is a lengthy, uninterrupted speech, spoken by a single character in theatre plays, novels, movies, television, or essentially, any media that uses actors. That is why, for the purposes of this article, we will use the terms ‘audience’, ‘listener’, ‘viewer’, and ‘reader’ interchangeably to refer to the intended audience of your monologue. 

We’ll also use the terms ‘watch’, ‘listen’, and ‘read’ interchangeably, to refer to the concept of written material enjoyed in any format.

The word ‘monologue’ comes from the Greek words ‘monos’ and ‘logos’, meaning ‘alone’ and ‘speech’ respectively.

What is the Purpose of a Monologue?

Monologues tend to be used to give the audience more information about the story or the character’s thoughts, personality, or motivations. They give a glimpse into the character’s thought process when making a decision, which helps us, the audience, make sense of that decision. 

A monologue also invites viewers, listeners, and readers into the speaker’s mind and gives them a glimpse of their true nature. Just in the same way, we can’t truly get to know someone unless they let us in on their innermost thoughts and, sometimes, secrets, our knowledge of a fictional character would remain limited if it weren’t for monologues giving us some insight. 

Monologues can also be used to move the story forward. Indeed, telling part of a story through speech instead of scenes can save time and explain in more detail what has happened, in a way that imagery or dialogue couldn’t.

A monologue is also a great way to pack a lot of information into a scene, in a way that dialogue might not allow, due to the back and forth of the speech between characters and perhaps, at times, the unwillingness of the characters to reveal some information to one another. 

Generally, the information given in a speech usually cannot be given in dialogue - at least not in the same way - and this is the reason why monologues exist. Remember this, as it will be important to take into consideration when you come to write your monologue, as we will come to explain in a later section.

Types of Monologue

Here are the following types of monologues:

A soliloquy is a type of monologue given by a character who assumes nobody is listening to them. They are speaking to themselves, rather than to another character or the audience. 

Soliloquies give a privileged insight into a character’s thoughts, and can therefore be used to explain some of their choices, motivations, or actions. 

Since the character delivering the soliloquy is unaware that anyone can hear them, they tend to reveal pretty personal and private information in these monologues. Of course, the audience can hear them, and sometimes another character might also be listening secretly. 

The famous To Be Or Not To Be by William Shakespeare is an example of a soliloquy. Hamlet delivers this speech without intending for anyone to hear it. It’s a lament of his feelings. 

Dramatic monologue

A dramatic monologue is quite the opposite of a soliloquy. Indeed, this type is a speech given by a character, with the intention of another character and/or the audience of hearing it. 

When you watch the President’s speech on TV, for example, you are watching a dramatic monologue.

A character will usually deliver a dramatic monologue to reveal specific intentions.

Interior monologue

An interior monologue gives the audience access to the character’s stream of consciousness. The character is aware that the audience is listening, and they are delivering the speech to confess their thoughts and feelings to them, or to give the audience an essential part of information. 

The difference is that, unlike a dramatic monologue, the character isn’t speaking directly to the audience.

They fill in the blanks and provide the reader, listener, or viewer with a clearer picture of what’s going on. 

For example, you might hear an interior monologue in between scenes during a movie or a sitcom.

Fight Club is a great example of interior monologues. It is full of them throughout the movie, with Edward Norton as the narrator, giving us some insight into his thoughts, which, as it turns out, ends up playing an essential role in understanding the story. Without this ongoing interior monologue, the story wouldn't make sense.  

Origins of Monologues

Drama as we know it evolved from Greek theatre, which started as long ago as 700 BC. Originally, it consisted mostly of monologues and did not contain much acting or dialogue between characters. 

It evolved into more complex setups: now more characters were being added in to play out the storyline, and dialogues between characters were helping to carry the story forward. But even then, monologues were invaluable in helping transmit parts of the story to the audience. 

Imagine, for example, having to relay to the audience that years have gone by, and the man has departed on his travels, and the woman in the meantime got pregnant unexpectedly. All of this on a small stage in 500 BC. Of course, this could also be done using signs or acting, but it would be much easier to explain with a monologue, don’t you think?

How to Write a Monologue

Are you ready to get onto the juicy bit? It’s time to write your own monologue. Whether you’re writing for a theatre play, a movie, a novel, a speech on TV, or any other medium, the following tips will help you in your endeavor.

Get Your Timing Right When You Write a Monologue

If you’re writing a monologue with the purpose of it being part of a bigger piece of writing, then timing is everything. If you don’t place it correctly, it could feel a little forced, or come across as fake to your audience. Or, quite simply, it might not deliver the dramatic effect you’d like it to. 

You could place your monologue at the beginning or end of the scene or movie, or you could strategically place it at another crucial moment.

Thinking about your monologue’s purpose will help you decide the optimal time for your character to deliver their monologue.

A monologue at the beginning

Having a character deliver a monologue at the beginning of a scene, movie, act or chapter can help set the mood and tone for what’s to come. This can be useful if you want to implement a sudden change in tone, for example. Or if you want to introduce an unexpected side to a character.  

Think of Henry Hill’s monologue at the start of Goodfellas. This iconic speech gives an introduction to one of the main characters, and immediate insight into his way of thinking, as well as his hopes and desires.

A monologue at the end

A monologue at the end of a scene helps summarize, emphasize the moral, or end on a particular note.

Think of Red’s parole monologue at the end of the immensely popular movie The Shawshank Redemption . It brings together the moral of the story by expressing the lessons Red has learned from his time in prison. 

This monologue cleverly gives us insight into the meaning he has derived from his countless dialogues with other characters throughout the movie, as well as his experiences, all of which we have been witness to. This speech has a strong impact on the audience and leaves us feeling a particular way - as per the writer’s intentions. 

A monologue as a transition

Monologues, as we have mentioned already, are a good way to mark a transition between two ideas. If you’re using a monologue for this purpose, then there aren’t any rules around where exactly you should place it. This comes down to your judgment. 

Placement is still important. It is essential to place it somewhere that makes sense. Even more so if it’s a monologue serving as a transition since placing it in the middle of a scene can really interrupt the flow if it isn’t done naturally. Don’t get us wrong, you can have a monologue in the middle of a scene - if it makes sense. 

Know Your Monologue’s Purpose

As has been mentioned earlier, a monologue must be used to do something a dialogue cannot. Otherwise, it will seem ill-placed and forced, and the audience will wonder why you’re using a monologue as opposed to another type of speech. So ask yourself, when your monologue is written - could this have been better communicated in a dialogue? If so, your monologue needs to be stronger. 

A monologue can carry so much power. The best ones give us goosebumps as there are high stakes involved. Think of Buffy the Vampire Slayer delivering a long speech to her Scooby Gang about why they can defeat the big bad - even though this one is scarier and stronger than any other before. 

Or take Sean Maguire’s speech about love and loss in the iconic Good Will Hunting. It is highly impactful - on the viewers, as well as Matt Damon’s character Will.

Another great monologue is Lester’s speech in American Beauty about how time stretches right before you die, which is delivered as he is about to die.

These monologues are notorious and will be remembered always, because of the emotions they elicited.

Be deliberate about your monologue’s purpose, and determine what it will be before you begin writing it. As discussed earlier, the purpose will also determine where it goes in your scene/movie if you are indeed writing one. 

Knowing your monologue’s purpose will help it to fit seamlessly into the scene, and the overall evolution of the story will flow. It will also help you decide which type of monologue it should be - dramatic, soliloquy, or interior. 

Give Your Monologue Structure

A clear beginning, middle, and end are essential parts of a monologue. You can almost think of a monologue as a standalone piece of writing. In fact, sometimes it is. Perhaps you’re here because you just want to write a monologue that will stand alone. In any case, the monologue should begin and end with a specific purpose.

Usually, the ending will be some sort of revelation on the speaker’s part. If the purpose of the monologue was for the character to have an internal struggle around which action to take, then the monologue might end with a decision.

If the monologue was telling a story about the character’s past, the end might explain how this impacts them today.  

Choose the Right Length For Your Monologue

A monologue can be any length, as long as you follow the above rules. The length is less important than what the monologue is accomplishing and how well it is doing it. You could lose your reader/viewer within the first few sentences if the monologue is boring. Conversely, an enthralling and well-written monologue can keep the reader engaged for paragraphs or hours at a time (depending on the medium). 

If your monologue is intended for an audiovisual medium, after writing it, it can be a good idea to perform it out loud the way you would like it to be performed by the actor - conveying the right emotions and taking the relevant pauses in speech. This is because a monologue can last for longer when spoken than it seems when being read in your head.  

Of course, if you’re writing a monologue only, as opposed to a monologue that will fit into a broader picture (movie, book, etc.) then it’s likely to be somewhat longer since the entire performance rests on this monologue. Again, that isn’t a problem, it just raises the stakes in terms of keeping the listener engaged. Think about why they would want to listen to you if they don’t know anything about you/your character. And if they do know you, what more might they want to know? 

Start to Write a Monologue With a Hook

You should spike the reader’s curiosity from the very beginning of the speech so that the listener will want to pay attention until the end. Here are a few ways you can do that.

• Use humor when you write a monologue: People love to laugh. Opening with humor is a great way to get people engaged and wanting more. Humor done well is usually a winner. If you’d like to know more about that, check out our recent article on writing comedy .
• Resonate with the audience: If they feel like you get them, your audience will be more than happy to stick around. Start with something they can resonate with.
• Inject an element of surprise: Try saying something a little controversial or challenging. The audience won’t expect it and they’ll be curious to see where you’re going. So make sure you are going somewhere with it.
• Get emotional: People like the idea that there’s something bigger at play. There’s always a way to make your topic tap into something larger than what it first appears to be. 

What Makes a Good Monologue?

Now’s the time to edit and rewrite what needs to be improved upon. Remember, writing is a process. You aren’t expected to get it right the first time. Many drafts will be required, and that’s okay. Have fun with your monologue. Workshop it. Get ideas from friends. 

Here are some tips to check if your monologue can hold its ground. You can use these tips to check in at different stages of your writing process, or when you’re done writing and are ready to make some tweaks.  

Can it Stand Alone?

Ask yourself: if you take your monologue out of context, will it stand on its own pretty well? If the answer is yes, there’s a good chance your monologue is of high quality. 

Since a monologue needs a clear beginning and end, as explained earlier, it can usually stand alone and make perfect sense.

Does it Add to the Story?

Despite being able to stand alone, within the intended context it adds fresh details to the story. So this is another element of a good quality monologue. It reveals something new to the audience. 

Maybe it’s some juicy info that they didn’t know about a character. Maybe it raises the stakes. Maybe it makes the audience care more. Whatever it is, it grips the listener and keeps them hooked until the end of the monologue.

Character Profile and Character Development When You Write a Monologue

Your characters must act in a way the audience expects them to. Think of how a real person would act. Sure, we sometimes act out of character, but mostly we stick to a fairly unchangeable set of values and act in largely predictable ways. Your characters should do the same.

It can help to design character profiles, going into quite a lot of depth around their traits, thoughts, likes and dislikes, hobbies, and so on. Even if you don’t plan to use this information in your story directly, it can help you know your characters like your back pocket. And this in turn will help you write realistic monologues because they paint your character’s thoughts in a way that seems natural. 

Even if their monologue is revealing something completely unexpected, the audience won’t question it so long as the character development was leading to this, or if they believe it’s possible in any way. 

Does it Flow?

The best way to know if your monologue flows naturally is to perform it out loud. If you can, hire an actor to perform it. This will allow you to take the place of the audience and really listen . Does it grab your attention? Does the character behave in a way and use words that they would be expected to? Is the tone consistent throughout? Does the ending feel natural or is it a little abrupt? Is it long enough? Perhaps it feels too long and some elements can be cut.

There’s no better way for you to know how your monologue will come across to an audience than by putting yourself in the audience’s shoes. Of course, reading it out loud to another person will also help, as they will have the objectivity that you won’t, from hearing the piece for the first time. 

How to Get Better at Writing Monologues

If you enjoyed the process of writing a monologue, you may want to write more. That’s great! If you want to get your creative juices flowing, monologues are a great choice because they are so rich and diverse, and there are many directions you can go with it. 

It’s important to hone your craft and make sure that you’re improving your skills over time. Here is some advice for you to get better and better at writing monologues.

As they say, practice makes perfect. Keep writing, make it a daily practice. You can find time to write a little each day. Try using writing prompts - you can find these online, or in journals bought specifically for this purpose. 

When you practice, you don’t have to practice only writing monologues. Just getting your creative juices flowing will help you. The more you tap into that side of your brain, the more it will become a habit, and the easier inspiration will come.

Speaking of inspiration, try to find it in mundane moments or objects. Pay attention to what’s around you and imagine writing a story about it. 

Enjoy the Process When You Write a Monologue

Before, we said, “practice makes perfect”. Of course, there’s no such thing as perfection, especially in the world of creativity, since everyone’s taste is different and art is subjective. 

Besides, we don’t recommend that you aim for perfection. Why? Because this will rob you of the joy of the process. 

Writer Mark Ronson once said that he used to write with the anticipation of the piece being performed, always thinking ahead. Then when he got his piece to the stage and he was finally “there”, he had “made it”, he would realize that the most enjoyable part of the process was actually the writing. 

Moral of the story is? Enjoy each stage when you’re in it. Don’t wish your time away. Don’t dwell on being imperfect or wondering how popular your piece of writing will be. That’s not the most important part. Because the truth is that when you find joy in your writing, this will be felt in your writing, as it will naturally improve. 

Learn From the Pros

Watch, read, listen to and mimic the pros. What are they doing? Find out about their daily rituals, and their practices around writing, listen to their advice, and take in their tips.

This applies to writing monologues or writing in general.

You can buy books, watch Ted Talks, listen to podcasts, and take a course; the list of resources to help you improve your writing is endless. Head to reputable sites created by the people who have been there, who are doing it, who are living it, and listen to what they have to say. Learn from their expertise. 

Expose Your Mind to Good Writing

There’s no better way to be exposed to good writing than to read good writing. Or watch well-written movies. 

Pay attention to the dialogue. Study the writing and see if you can detect patterns. Read/watch the material over and over, join a study group, and dissect the whole thing. Not only is this loads of fun, but it will seriously help improve your writing. 

Final Thoughts on How to Write a Monologue

So hopefully by now, you have the tools to write a strong monologue, so what are you waiting for? Get started! We believe in getting started before you feel ready, because the inspiration will come as you are writing, and practice makes perfect.

Remember, above all, to have a lot of fun with it. Having a goal for your monologue is valid, but it isn’t everything. Writing should be a fun and enjoyable process, so make sure not to omit that side of things, too.

Good luck writing your monologue!

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Definition of Monologue Monologue comes from the Greek words monos, which means “alone,” and logos, which means “speech.” It is a literary device this is the speech or verbal presentation given with the aid of a unmarried character in an effort to specific his or her collection of thoughts and ideas aloud. Often such a individual speaks without delay to target audience, or to another man or woman. Monologues are discovered in dramatic medium like movies and plays, and also in non-dramatic medium like poetry. Types of Monologue There are two sorts of monologue: Interior Monologue In indoors monologue, a person externalizes his mind, in order that the target audience can experience his internal thoughts. Often found in plays, movies, and novels, this technique is additionally called a “movement of awareness.” Internal monologue can bebroken similarly into two categories: direct and indirect. In an immediate indoors monologue, an writer does not show his presence, and at once exhibits his person. In an indirect indoors monologue, an writer seems as a commentator, guide, presenter, and selector. Dramatic Monologue In this type of monologue, a person speaks to the silent listener. This kind has theatrical qualities, hence, it is known as dramatic monologue, and is often utilized in poetry. Difference Between a Monologue and a Soliloquy Monologue and soliloquy are similar, as each are speeches presented by means of a unmarried person. But a primary distinction among them is that, in monologue, the speaker exhibits his mind to the target market, or to another person; whereas in a soliloquy, the speaker expresses his mind to himself, and it does now not involve some other characters. Examples of Monologue in Literature Example #1: The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock (By T. S. Eliot) “And indeed there can be time To wonder, ‘Do I dare?’ and, ‘Do I dare?’ Time to show back and descend the stair, With a bald spot in the middle of my hair … In a minute there is time For choices and revisions which a minute will reverse.'” This whole poem is written inside the form of a dramatic monologue, in which the poet is attempting to explore the reasons of ache and struggling of an insecure young man who's confused about whether or not or no longer he should attend a party. Eliot well-knownshows his mind to the target market approximately how Prufrock feels that, if he goes to the party, it'd disturb the entire universe. Example #2: My Last Duchess (By Robert Browning) “Even had you skill In speech—(which I have no longer)—to make your will Quite clear to such an one, and say, ‘Just this Or that during you disgusts me; right here you miss, Or there exceed the mark’ — and if she let Herself be lessoned so, nor it seems that set Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse, —E’en then could be a few stooping …” This poem also provides an instance of a dramatic monologue, as it has a theatrical high-quality wherein the poet expresses his viewpoint thru the speech of his character. The unmarried speaker is addressing the servant of a count. Example #3: Romeo and Juliet (By ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ William Shakespeare) “But soft, what light thru yonder window breaks? It is the east and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the green with envy moon, Who is already sick and light with grief … O that I were a glove upon that hand, That I would possibly contact that cheek!” This is a well-known balcony scene wherein Romeo hides inside the garden of the Capulet family, and waits for a glimpse of his loved Juliet. When she comes out on the balcony, Romeo makes use of monologue, sharing his mind with the target market. Example #4: Mrs. Dalloway (By­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Virginia Woolf) In her novel, Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf has offered her characters by way of the use of the technique of move of cognizance, or indoors monologue. The recognition of characters movements backward and forward. Woolf has molded and formed their personalities at crucial moments via interior monologue. Her precise deployment of this approach consists of authorial interjections to offer guidance to the readers and give form to the narrative. Function of Monologue The motive of writing in monologue is to deliver an concept or viewpoint thru words. However, on occasion we word a tricky a part of a writer’s expression, as the critiques of speaker and creator do no longer match, due to the fact he attempts to persuade the target audience, and won't tell the exact reality. It permits readers to move from one man or woman to another, and to have insight into their imaginations. A monologue serves as a fundamental source via which writers express their feelings and mind.

• Alliteration
• Anachronism
• Antimetabole
• Aposiopesis
• Characterization
• Colloquialism
• Connotation
• Deus Ex Machina
• Didacticism
• Doppelganger
• Double Entendre
• Flash Forward
• Foreshadowing
• Internal Rhyme
• Juxtaposition
• Non Sequitur
• Onomatopoeia
• Parallelism
• Pathetic Fallacy
• Personification
• Poetic Justice
• Point of View
• Portmanteau
• Protagonist
• Red Herring
• Superlative
• Synesthesia
• Tragicomedy
• Tragic Flaw
• Verisimilitude

Understanding Monologues: Definition, Types and Examples

What is a monologue, why monologues matter, types of monologues, how to write a monologue, monologue examples.

In the world of theater, movies, and literature, the monologue has a unique place. It's like a window into a character's soul, showing us their thoughts, emotions, and motivations. By the end of this blog, you'll have a clear understanding of what a monologue is, why it's used, its different types, and even how to write one yourself. We'll also look at some examples that perfectly illustrate the power and beauty of a well-crafted monologue. Let's start by exploring the definition of a monologue. Ready? Let's dive in!

At its most basic, a monologue is a long speech delivered by a single character in a play, movie, or TV show. It can also be a long-winded speech by one person during a conversation. But there's more to it than that. Let's break it down a bit.

Monologue in Theater and Film

In theater and film, a monologue gives a character the stage—literally. It's their moment to express their thoughts or feelings, often revealing important insights about their character. Here, the audience is privy to the character's deepest thoughts, which they might not otherwise express. For instance, think of Hamlet's "To be or not to be" soliloquy. It's one of the most famous examples of a monologue that offers a peek into the character's mind.

Monologue in Conversation

Now, when it comes to conversation, the monologue takes on a different shade. Have you ever been in a situation where someone just doesn't stop talking? That's a monologue too, albeit a less dramatic one. This type of monologue isn't scripted like in a play or movie, but it can still reveal a lot about the speaker. For example, their interests, their perspective on a topic, or even their tendency to dominate a conversation!

Monologue as a Literary Device

Lastly, let's not forget the monologue's role as a literary device. Authors use it to develop characters, advance the plot, or even create suspense or drama. It's a powerful tool when used right. Take J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye", where the protagonist Holden Caulfield's monologues reveal his inner turmoil and teenage angst.

So, the definition of a monologue can vary depending on the context. But at its core, it's all about one person taking center stage and expressing their thoughts or feelings in their own words. That's the magic of a monologue.

Now that we've explored the definition of a monologue, let's delve into why they're so important. Monologues matter, and for good reason. Whether in a play, film, or everyday conversation, they serve a number of purposes.

Monologues Reveal Character

A well-crafted monologue can tell you a lot about the character delivering it. It reveals their inner world—their thoughts, feelings, desires, fears, and more. It's like a mirror that reflects the character's soul. In other words, monologues help in character development. For instance, Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking monologue in Shakespeare's "Macbeth" gives us a glimpse into her guilt-ridden mind.

Monologues Advance the Plot

Ever noticed how a single monologue can dramatically shift the course of the story? That's because monologues can also serve to advance the plot. They can introduce a new conflict, resolve an existing one, or simply push the story forward. In the film "The Dark Knight", The Joker's monologue about chaos sets the stage for the ensuing conflict.

Monologues Engage the Audience

Monologues have a way of grabbing the audience's attention. A powerful monologue can make the audience sit up and take notice. It can evoke emotions, provoke thought, or even incite action. It's a direct line of communication between the character and the audience. It's no surprise that some of the most memorable moments in theater and cinema come from monologues.

So there you have it. Monologues are more than just long speeches. They play a crucial role in character development, plot progression, and audience engagement. Without them, storytelling would lack depth and dynamism. That's why monologues matter.

Alright, now that we've covered the importance of monologues, let's dive into the different types. Just as there are different genres of books and movies, there are also different types of monologues. Let's take a look at the two main types.

Interior Monologue

Have you ever had a conversation with yourself in your head? That's precisely what an interior monologue is. It's a type of monologue where the character expresses their inner thoughts and feelings. It's like a window into their mind. Think of Hamlet's famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy. That's an example of an interior monologue.

Dramatic Monologue

On the other hand, a dramatic monologue is a speech delivered by a character to another character or to the audience. In this type of monologue, the speaker reveals details about themselves or the situation, often without realizing it. A classic example is Mark Antony's speech in Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar". He manages to turn the Roman citizens against the conspirators without directly criticizing them. That's the power of a dramatic monologue.

So, whether it's an interior monologue or a dramatic one, each type has a unique way of adding depth to the character and advancing the story. Understanding these types can help you appreciate the art of monologue even more.

Okay, so we've covered the definition of monologue and the different types, but you might be wondering, "how do I craft a compelling monologue?". No worries, let's break it down into manageable steps.

Know Your Character

The first and foremost step is to thoroughly understand your character. Without a deep understanding of their personality, motivations, and struggles, the monologue will feel flat. So, take time to flesh out your character. What are their dreams? What are their fears? How do they think and speak? Knowing these details will help you to write a monologue that feels genuine to the character.

Define the Purpose

Next, you need to understand why the monologue is needed in your story. Is it to reveal a shocking secret, express a strong emotion, or provide a backstory? The purpose of the monologue will shape its content and tone. So, before you start writing, make sure to define the purpose.

Write, Revise, and Refine

Finally, the most important step: write! Don't worry about getting it perfect the first time. Just get your thoughts down, and then revise and refine. Play around with sentence structure. Use vivid language to engage the audience. Remember, a great monologue is not just about what is being said, but how it's being said.

Writing a monologue can be a fun and rewarding process. With practice, you'll get better at it. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your pen or keyboard and start crafting your monologue!

Now that we've walked through the "how-tos" of monologue writing, let's dive into the realm of examples. These will illustrate how the definition of monologue plays out in real-world scenarios.

Shakespeare's Macbeth

Considered the master of monologues, William Shakespeare offers us an ideal starting point. Macbeth's "Is this a dagger which I see before me" monologue is a classic. Here, Macbeth hallucinates a dagger pointing him towards King Duncan, whom he's plotting to kill. This monologue showcases Macbeth's internal struggle and foreshadows the tragic events to follow.

The Breakfast Club

Shifting gears to the silver screen, "The Breakfast Club," a popular 80s film, gives us a memorable monologue from the character Brian. As he voices the collective thoughts of the group in a letter to the principal, Brian defies the stereotypes they've been labeled with. This monologue underscores the movie's theme about the complexities of teenage identity.

Neil Gaiman's The Sandman

Even graphic novels can offer fantastic monologues. In Neil Gaiman's "The Sandman," the character Dream delivers a powerful monologue about the nature of dreams and reality. This not only highlights Dream's character but also the metaphorical depth of the novel.

These examples show how diverse and versatile monologues can be. Whether you're writing a play, a novel, or a screenplay, a well-crafted monologue can add depth to your characters and richness to your story. So go on, give it a try. Who knows, you might just pen the next unforgettable monologue!

If you enjoyed this blog post on understanding monologues and want to learn more about scriptwriting, we highly recommend checking out Jessy Moussallem's workshop, ' Scriptwriting .' This workshop will provide you with the tools and techniques you need to create engaging and powerful monologues, as well as other aspects of scriptwriting.

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The Power of Monologues in Storytelling

Have you ever been captivated by a character pouring their heart out on stage or screen? Monologues in storytelling are a powerful tool that brings a narrative to life.

In this article, we’ll explore the different types of monologues and how they are used in literature and pop culture.

Get ready to be inspired and amazed by the magic of monologues.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Monologues are a powerful tool in storytelling, bringing narratives to life and allowing characters to reveal their true nature.
• Delivery, emotional depth, and connection with the audience are crucial for the effectiveness of a monologue.
• Monologues involve a single character speaking at length, conveying thoughts, emotions, and experiences directly to the audience.
• Different types of monologues, such as soliloquies and dramatic monologues, serve specific purposes in storytelling, providing insights into a character’s mind and addressing others or the audience.

What is a Monologue?

A monologue is more than just a long speech delivered by one person; it’s a purposeful delivery that delves deep into the emotional depths of a character or situation.

The term monologue derives from the Greek words “ monos ” which translates to “alone” and “ logos ” which means “speech.” https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-a-monologue-definition/

A monologue isn’t merely a means to convey information or advance the plot; it’s a vehicle for self-expression, introspection, and exploration. It allows the audience to witness the raw vulnerability of a character and experience his journey firsthand.

To understand the concept of a monologue, imagine yourself as the sole speaker, passionately delivering a speech or soliloquy to an audience.

Monologues have a rich historical significance, dating back to ancient Greek theater, where actors would address the audience directly.

They offer a unique cultural representation, giving voice to the thoughts and emotions of a character from a specific time or place.

Monologues also serve as a powerful tool for psychological exploration, allowing characters to delve deep into their innermost thoughts and reveal their true nature.

Monologues play a vital role, providing moments of introspection, revelation, and connection between the character and the reader.

What Makes a Monologue Effective?

Here are three key factors that contribute to the power of a monologue:

• Importance of delivery: A monologue is brought to life through the skillful delivery of the actor. The tone, intonation, and body language all play a crucial role in conveying the intended emotions and capturing the audience’s attention.
• Emotional depth: A compelling monologue gets into the character’s emotions, allowing the audience to feel and empathize with their experiences. The more genuine and authentic the emotions portrayed, the stronger the impact on the audience.
• Connection with the audience: A monologue is most effective when it establishes a connection between the character and the audience. This can be achieved through relatable experiences, universal themes, or addressing the audience directly. This connection draws the audience in and ensures their engagement throughout the monologue.

What are the Main Characteristics of a Monologue?

Key features of a monologue include a single character speaking at length, conveying their thoughts, emotions, and experiences directly to the audience. This technique allows for a deep exploration of a character’s psyche, offering insight into their motivations and inner conflicts.

Techniques such as varying tone, pacing, and emphasis enhance the impact of a monologue, keeping the audience engaged throughout.

Examples of Powerful Monologues in Literature

• “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot – This poem is a dramatic monologue that explores the thoughts and feelings of the speaker, J. Alfred Prufrock. The poem is known for its powerful imagery and use of stream-of-consciousness narration.
• “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning – This poem is a dramatic monologue in which the speaker, a duke, reveals his thoughts and feelings about his late wife. The poem is known for its use of dramatic irony and its exploration of power and control.
• “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare – This play features several powerful monologues, including Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” soliloquy. These monologues explore themes of life, death, and the human condition.
• “The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning – This poem is a dramatic monologue in which the speaker, a runaway slave, reveals her thoughts and feelings about her life and experiences. The poem is known for its powerful imagery and exploration of race and identity.

There are many more examples out there, and they can be found in various genres and styles.

Exploring the Different Types of Monologues

First, there’s the soliloquy, where a character speaks their thoughts aloud, revealing their innermost desires and struggles.

Then, we’ve dramatic monologues, where a character addresses another person or the audience, showcasing their emotions and motivations.

Lastly, internal monologues allow us to delve into a character’s mind, experiencing their thoughts and reflections firsthand.

Deep Dive into Soliloquy

When it comes to soliloquy, there are several vital aspects to consider.

• Psychological introspection : Soliloquies provide a window into a character’s thoughts and emotions, allowing for a deeper exploration of their psyche. This introspection adds complexity to the narrative, making it more engaging for the audience.
• Emotional expression : Soliloquies serve as a platform for characters to express their deepest feelings, whether anger , love, or despair. By giving voice to these emotions, Soliloquies establish a solid emotional bond between the character and the audience., evoking empathy and heightening the emotional impact of the story.
• Character development : Soliloquies allow characters to reveal their motivations, desires, and inner conflicts. Through self-reflection and self-revelation, characters grow and evolve, adding depth and nuance to their development throughout the narrative.

Understanding Dramatic Monologues

Dramatic monologues are potent tools for unearthing emotions, exploring character, analyzing structure, and capturing attention. They convey depth through the intimate voice of a single character, allowing the audience to experience their inner thoughts and feelings.

There are different types of dramatic monologues, each with purpose and style:

The confessional monologue reveals a character’s secrets and vulnerabilities.

The persuasive monologue aims to convince or sway others.

The reflective monologue delves into introspection and self-discovery.

The narrative monologue tells a story from the character’s perspective.

The Power of Internal Monologues

Internal monologues provide a unique lens into a character’s mind, allowing for a deep psychological exploration.

Through the inner thought process of a character, the audience gains insights into their motivations, fears, and desires. This not only enhances character development but also adds emotional depth to the narrative.

By experiencing the character’s thoughts firsthand, the reader feels a deeper connection and understanding of their journey.

Internal monologues also offer a distinct narrative perspective, allowing the audience to see the story from within the character’s mind. This perspective adds a layer of innovation to the storytelling process, making it more engaging and immersive for the audience.

Monologues and Their Impact on Modern Media

Monologues have become a powerful tool for character development and emotional impact in TV series, adding depth and complexity to the stories being told.

Monologues also serve as a means of social commentary, providing a platform to address critical issues and provoke thought.

Through monologues, literature and pop culture continue to push boundaries and innovate, leaving a lasting impact on society.

How to Write an Effective Monologue

To craft an impactful monologue, consider the following writing techniques that can enhance your monologue and captivate your audience:

• Character development: Create a well-rounded character with depth and complexity. Develop his backstory, motivations, and emotions to make the monologue more engaging and relatable.
• Emotional impact: Infuse your monologue with solid emotions to evoke a response from your audience. It is important to experience different emotions, including anger, sadness, and joy., to make the monologue more compelling and memorable.
• Creative storytelling: Use vivid imagery, descriptive language, and powerful metaphors to paint a picture in the minds of your audience. Engage their senses and transport them into the world of your monologue.

How to Analyze a Monologue

To effectively analyze a monologue in writing , begin by examining the structure and underlying themes of the piece.

Pay attention to the pacing, tone, and pauses, as they can significantly influence the emotions conveyed.

Look for shifts in mood and intensity, and consider how these emotions contribute to the overall message.

Identifying themes helps uncover the deeper meaning behind the words. Is the monologue exploring love, loss, or self-discovery?

Exploring character development allows you to understand the motivations and intentions behind the speaker’s words.

Lastly, evaluating audience impact allows you to gauge how effectively the monologue resonates with the intended audience.

Glossary to Learn Further

• Character monologues : A type of monologue that explores and develops a character’s backstory, motivations, and emotions, allowing actors to showcase their skills and range as performers[5].
• Stream-of-consciousness monologues : A type of monologue that presents a character’s thoughts and feelings in a continuous, unbroken flow, often without clear structure or organization[7].
• Monologue structure : How a monologue is structured can have a significant impact on its effectiveness. For example, a monologue might be structured as a series of flashbacks or as a stream-of-consciousness narrative[3]
• Soliloquy : A character’s inner thoughts or feelings spoken aloud.
• Aside : A brief remark made by a character to the audience or another character.
• Confessional Monologue : A character’s personal and revealing self-expression.
• Reflective Monologue : A character’s contemplative speech, often reflecting on past events.
• Dialogue : Conversations between characters, including monologues.
• Scene : A segment of the story that includes various elements, including monologues.
• Character Speech : A character’s spoken words within the narrative.
• Setting : The surroundings and location where monologues occur.
• Plot : The sequence of events in the story within which monologues are embedded.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key elements to consider when writing a monologue that effectively conveys emotions.

Consider key elements like body language, vocal delivery, authenticity vs. exaggeration, setting , and connecting with the reader.

Can Monologues Be Used as a Tool for Character Development in a Story?

Monologues allow for character introspection, emotional depth, inner conflicts, psychological growth, and personal revelations. Through monologues, characters come alive, captivating audiences with their journey.

Whether in literature or pop culture, monologues can transport us into a character’s world and make us feel a part of their journey.

Writing a compelling monologue requires skill and creativity. Still, when done right, it can leave a lasting impact on the audience.

So, next time you encounter a monologue, listen closely and let it take you on a storytelling adventure.

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Eduardo Carvalho

Eduardo has been teaching creative writing since 2020 at a Brazilian publishing house and created the Driven Writer website to help more people with writing tips. He has written the novel Over the river with a releasing date somewhere in 2024.

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Definition of monologue

Did you know.

Soliloquy vs. Monologue

Soliloquy and monologue cover very similar ground, but there are some important differences between the two words. Soliloquy (from the Latin solus “alone” and loqui “to speak”) at its most basic level refers to the act of talking to oneself, and more specifically denotes the solo utterance of an actor in a drama. It tends to be used of formal or literary expressions, such as Hamlet’s soliloquies . Monologue (from Greek monos "alone" and legein "to speak") may also refer to a dramatic scene in which an actor soliloquizes , but it has other meanings as well. To a stand-up comedian, monologue denotes a comic routine. To a bored listener, it signifies a long speech uttered by someone who has too much to say.

Examples of monologue in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'monologue.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle French monologue , from mon- + -logue

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing monologue

• dramatic monologue
• interior monologue

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Cite this Entry

“Monologue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monologue. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

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Dramatic Monologue

Definition of dramatic monologue.

Dramatic monologue means self-conversation, speech, or talks which include an interlocutor presented dramatically. It means a person, who is speaking to himself or someone else speaks to reveal specific intentions of his actions. However, in literature, it is a poetic form or a poem that presents the speech or conversation of a person in a dramatic manner.

Features of a Dramatic Monologue

A dramatic monologue has these common features in them.

• A single person delivering a speech on one aspect of his life
• The audience may or may not be present
• Speaker reveals his temperament and character only through his speech

Types of Dramatic Monologue

There are three major types of dramatic monologues such as:

• Romantic monologue
• Philosophical and psychological monologue
• Conversational monologue

Characteristics/Elements of Dramatic Monologue

Dramatic monologues have distinct features and characteristics of their own to make them eligible to be called a separate genre . It, however, is a literary device that poets can use in their poetry. Its important elements are as given below.

• Implied audience / Interlocutor
• No conversation
• Fictional persona
• Argumentative tone

Tips for Writing Dramatic Monologues

When writing a dramatic monologue, the following points must be kept in mind.

• A dramatic monologue must have a context in a play or drama or poetic piece.
• It must start with a striking hook that should attract the readers.
• It must be a long thought such as a rumination over some past event.
• It must express strong feelings of either love or hate.
• It must have a good storyline and a good ending.

History of Dramatic Monologue

Although some ruminations and expressions of thoughts are founded in Greek plays and Roman literature, they cannot be categorized as dramatic monologues and have some constraints. Victorians, especially Robert Browning is stated to have created this literary genre. For example, ‘ My Last Duchess ’ and ‘ Porphyria’s Lover ’ are his best dramatic monologues. Alfred Tennyson and Dante Rossetti are two famous authors, known as their contemporaries who wrote amazing dramatic monologues in their work. Hence, it could be termed a distinct Victorian genre.

Dramatic Monologue Examples from Literature

My Last Duchess by Robert Browning

“That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall, Looking as if she were alive. I call That piece a wonder, now ; Fra Pandolf’s hands Worked busily a day, and there she stands. Will’t please you sit and look at her? I said “Fra Pandolf” by design , for never read Strangers like you that pictured countenance, The depth and passion of its earnest glance, But to myself they turned (since none puts by The curtain I have drawn for you, but I) And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst, How such a glance came there; so, not the first Are you to turn and ask thus.”

This extract is from the famous monologue of a duke. He tells his audience, possibly the father of his new bride, about his last duchess who could not survive his severity. It is a type of psychological monologue which tells the psychological state of mind of the speaker . Browning has exposed the duke’s cruel state of mind through the poem “My Last Duchess.”

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T. S. Eliot

  “Let us go then, you and I, When the evening is spread out against the sky Like a patient etherized upon a table; Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets, The muttering retreats Of restless nights in one- night cheap hotels And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells: Streets that follow like a tedious argument Of insidious intent To lead you to an overwhelming question … Oh, do not ask, “What is it?” Let us go and make our visit.”

This extract is from the poem “ The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock ” by T. S. Eliot, a famous and popular modern poet. He has highlighted the thoughts of a modern young man who is madly in love but still hesitates from expressing it. Therefore, he faces an existential dilemma . The poem highlights his psychological state of mind through this contemporary monologue. This extract highlights this dilemma of hesitation in the very first line and then is repeated in the last line.

  Example #3

Lady Lazarus by Sylvia Plath

  I have done it again. One year in every ten I manage it— A sort of walking miracle, my skin Bright as a Nazi lampshade, My right foot A paperweight, My face a featureless, fine Jew linen.

This extract is from the famous monologue of Sylvia Plath’s “ Lady Lazarus .” It also highlights her psychological state of mind about her act of committing suicide and subsequent failure. She has likened this act to the Holocaust to create her own powerful monologue.

Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold

“The sea is calm tonight. The tide is full, the moon lies fair Upon the straits; on the French coast the light Gleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand, Glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay. Come to the window, sweet is the night-air!”

“ Dover Beach ” is another example of such an autobiographical monologue by Matthew Arnold. He has highlighted his own situation and his reaction to the sorrow that he is experiencing. This monologue expressed his thoughts about his bride when they were on honeymoon on the same breach. He recalls the past and writes about the sea again.

  Hawk’s Monologue by Ted Hughes

  “I sit in the top of the wood, my eyes closed. Inaction, no falsifying dream Between my hooked head and hooked feet: Or in sleep rehearse perfect kills and eat. The convenience of the high trees ! The air’s buoyancy and the sun’s ray Are of advantage to me; And the earth’s face upward for my inspection.”

These are the first two stanzas of the famous monologue of Ted Hughes. This poem presents a hawk perching high on a tree, thinking about his power and dreams . It presents a psychological state of mind of personified megalomaniac bird and how he thinks when he holds power over the lives of other weak birds. This dramatic monologue is an example of how powerful people think when they have control over others.

Examples of Dramatic Monologue from Movies

• “… What’d you say a minute ago? They had to wait and save their money before they even ought to think of a decent home. Wait? Wait for what? Until their children grow up and leave them? Until they’re so old and broken down that they … Do you know how long it takes a working man to save $5,000? Just remember this, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you’re talking about … they do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community . Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn’t think so. People were human beings to him. But to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they’re cattle. Well in my book, my father died a much richer man than you’ll ever be!” – It’s a wonderful life
• Good day, gentlemen. This is a prerecorded briefing made prior to your departure and which for security reasons of the highest importance has been known on board during the mission only by your H-A-L 9000 computer. Now that you are in Jupiter’s space and the entire crew is revived it can be told to you. Eighteen months ago the first evidence of intelligent life off the Earth was discovered. It was buried 40 feet below the lunar surface near the crater Tycho. Except for a single very powerful radio emission aimed at Jupiter the four-million year old black monolith has remained completely inert. Its origin and purpose are still a total mystery . – 2001: A Space Odyssey
• I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be an emperor. That’s not my business. I don’t want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone if possible; Jew, Gentile, black man, white. We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other’s happiness, not by each other’s misery. We don’t want to hate and despise one another. In this world, there is room for everyone, and the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way. Greed has poisoned men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical; our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost. The airplane and the radio have brought us closer together. The very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in men; cries out for universal brotherhood; for the unity of us all. Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world, millions of despairing men, women, and little children, victims of a system that makes men torture and imprison innocent people. To those who can hear me, I say, do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed, the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish. Soldiers! Don’t give yourselves to brutes, men who despise you, enslave you; who regiment your lives, tell you what to do, what to think and what to feel! Who drill you, diet you, treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder. Don’t give yourselves to these unnatural men – machine men with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not machines, you are not cattle, you are men! You have the love of humanity in your hearts! You don’t hate! Only the unloved hate; the unloved and the unnatural. Soldiers! Don’t fight for slavery! Fight for liberty! In the seventeenth chapter of St. Luke, it is written that the kingdom of God is within man, not one man nor a group of men, but in all men! In you! You, the people, have the power, the power to create machines, the power to create happiness! You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure . Then in the name of democracy, let us use that power. Let us all unite. Let us fight for a new world, a decent world that will give men a chance to work, that will give youth a future and old age a security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power. But they lie! They do not fulfill that promise. They never will! Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people. Now let us fight to fulfill that promise. Let us fight to free the world! To do away with national barriers! To do away with greed, with hate and intolerance! Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men’s happiness. Soldiers, in the name of democracy, let us all unite! Hannah, can you hear me? Wherever you are, look up Hannah! The clouds are lifting! The sun is breaking through! We are coming out of the darkness into the light! We are coming into a new world; a kindlier world, where men will rise above their hate, their greed, and brutality. Look up, Hannah! The soul of man has been given wings and at last he is beginning to fly. He is flying into the rainbow! Into the light of hope, into the future! The glorious future, that belongs to you, to me and to all of us. Look up, Hannah. Look up! – The Great Dictator

Dramatic Monologue Function

A monologue functions as a tool to give vent to one’s thoughts. It provides an opportunity for the poets to use powerful words spoken through their characters. So, the characters can express themselves or their ideas without an obstacle or hindrance. A dramatic monologue is also a convenient device to present different characters and their inner thoughts through verses .

Synonyms of Dramatic Monologue

Although Dramatic Monologue doesn’t have the exact replaceable words, the following synonyms come very close to it in meanings. They are discourse , lecture, harangue , soliloquy , speech, descant, and harangue. It, however, must be kept in mind that almost all of them are literary devices in their own right.

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Interior Monologues

Definition and Examples

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• An Introduction to Punctuation
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

In both fiction and nonfiction , an interior monologue is the expression of a character's thoughts, feelings, and impressions in a narrative .

From A Handbook to Literature , an interior monologue may be either direct or indirect:

• Direct: The author seems not to exist and the interior self of the character is given directly, as though the reader were overhearing an articulation of the stream of thought and feeling flowing through the character's mind;
• Indirect: The author serves as a selector, presenter, guide, and commentator, (Harmon and Holman 2006).

Interior monologues help to fill in blanks in a piece of writing and provide the reader with a clearer picture, whether from the author or a character themselves. Often, interior monologues fit seamlessly into a piece of writing and maintain the style and tone of a piece. Other times, they deviate. For examples of this fascinating literary device, keep reading.

Where Interior Monologues Are Found

As mentioned, interior monologues can be found in any type of prose. In both fiction and nonfiction, these stretches of text help to clarify an author's points and provide context. However, these can look very different across genres.

Using interior monologue has been a common stylistic choice among fiction writers through the years. Out of context, these excerpts seem ordinary—but within a text, they are brief moments where an author intentionally strays from the norm.

•  I looked into the reception room. It was empty of everything but the smell of dust. I threw up another window, unlocked the communicating door and went into the room beyond. Three hard chairs and a swivel chair, flat desk with a glass top, five green filing cases, three of them full of nothing, a calendar and a framed license bond on the wall, a phone, a washbowl in a stained wood cupboard, a hatrack, a carpet that was just something on the floor, and two open windows with net curtains that puckered in and out like the lips of a toothless old man sleeping.
• "The same stuff I had had last year, and the year before that. Not beautiful, not gay, but better than a tent on the beach," (Chandler 1942).
• "How much better is silence; the coffee cup, the table. How much better to sit by myself like the solitary sea-bird that opens its wings on the stake. Let me sit here forever with bare things, this coffee cup, this knife, this fork, things in themselves, myself being myself. Do not come and worry me with your hints that it is time to shut the shop and be gone. I would willingly give all my money that you should not disturb me but let me sit on and on, silent, alone," (Woolf 1931).

Author Tom Wolfe became known for his use of interior monologue. See the author of "Writing Nonfiction—Using Fiction" William Noble's thoughts on this below.

"Interior monologue is appropriate with nonfiction, provided there's fact to back it up. We can't get into a character's head because we suppose, or imagine, or deduce that's what he or she would be thinking. We have to know !

See how Tom Wolfe does it in his book about the space program, The Right Stuff . At the outset he explained that his style was developed to grab the readers' attention, to absorb them. ... He wanted to get into the heads of his characters, even if this was nonfiction. And so, at an astronauts' press conference, he quotes a reporter's question on who was confident about coming back from space. He describes the astronauts looking at one another and hoisting their hands in the air. Then, he's into their heads:

It really made you feel like an idiot, raising your hand this way. If you didn't think you were 'coming back,' then you would really have to be a fool or a nut to have volunteered at all. ...

He goes on for a full page, and in writing this way Wolfe has transcended the usual nonfiction style; he's offered characterization and motivation, two fiction writing techniques that can bring the reader in lockstep with the writer. Interior monologue provides a chance to 'see inside' the heads of characters, and we know that the more familiar a reader is with a character, the more the reader embraces that character," (Noble 2007).

Stylistic Characteristics of Interior Monologue

An author has many grammatical and stylistic choices to make when they decide to employ interior monologue. Professor Monika Fludernik discusses some of these below.

"Sentence fragments may be treated as an interior monologue ( direct speech ) or regarded as part of an adjoining stretch of free  indirect speech . ... Interior monologue may also contain traces of non-verbal thought. While more formal interior monologue uses the first-person pronoun and finite verbs in the present tense :

He [Stephen] lifted his feet up from the suck [of the sand] and turned back by the mole of boulders. Take all, keep all. My soul walks with me , form of forms. [. . .] The flood is following me. I can watch it flow past from here, ( Ulysses iii; Joyce 1993: 37; my emphasis).

In Ulysses James Joyce conducts more radical experiments with the form of the interior monologue, especially in his representation of the thoughts of Leopold Bloom and his wife, Molly. He eschews full sentences with finite verbs in favor of incomplete, often verbless syntagms which simulate Bloom's mental leaps as he associates ideas:

Hymes jotting down something in his notebook. Ah, the names. But he knows them all. No: coming to me—I am just taking the names, Hynes said below his breath. What is your christian name? I'm not sure.

In this example, Bloom's impressions and speculations are confirmed by Hyne's remarks," (Fludernik 2009).

Stream of Consciousness and Interior Monologue

Don't let yourself become confused between stream of consciousness and interior monologue writing. These devices are similar, sometimes even intertwined, but distinct. Ross Murfin and Supryia Ray, authors of The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms , help make this less confusing: "Although stream of consciousness and interior monologue are often used interchangeably, the former is the more general term.

Interior monologue, strictly defined, is a type of stream of consciousness. As such, it presents a character's thoughts, emotions, and fleeting sensations to the reader. Unlike stream of consciousness more generally, however, the ebb and flow of the psyche revealed by interior monologue typically exists at a pre- or sublinguistic level, where images and the connotations they evoke supplant the literal denotative meanings of words," (Murfin and Ray 2003).

• Chandler, Raymond. The High Window. Alfred A. Knopf, 1942.
• Fludernik, Monika. An Introduction to Narratology . Routledge, 2009.
• Harmon, William, and Hugh Holman. A Handbook to Literature. 10th ed. Prentice-Hall, 2006.
• Murfin, Ross, and Supryia M. Ray. The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms. 2nd ed. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2003.
• Noble, William. "Writing Nonfiction—Using Fiction." The Portable Writer's Conference , 2nd ed. Quill Driver, 2007.
• Woolf, Virginia. The Waves. Hogarth Press, 1931.
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or mon·o·log

a form of dramatic entertainment, comedic solo, or the like by a single speaker: a comedian's monologue.

a prolonged talk or discourse by a single speaker, especially one dominating or monopolizing a conversation.

any composition, as a poem, in which a single person speaks alone.

a part of a drama in which a single actor speaks alone; soliloquy.

Origin of monologue

Other words from monologue.

• mon·o·log·ic [mon- uh - loj -ik], /ˌmɒn əˈlɒdʒ ɪk/, mon·o·log·i·cal, adjective
• mon·o·log·ist [ mon - uh -law-gist, -log-ist, m uh - nol - uh -jist], /ˈmɒn əˌlɔ gɪst, -ˌlɒg ɪst, məˈnɒl ə dʒɪst/, mon·o·logu·ist [ mon - uh -law-gist, -log-ist], /ˈmɒn əˌlɔ gɪst, -ˌlɒg ɪst/, noun

Words Nearby monologue

• monoline insurer
• monolingual

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use monologue in a sentence

As a result, everyone gets frustrated, nothing feels equitable or productive, and the loudest voice ends up dominating, reducing the dialogue to their own monologue .

The inhabitants of a planet named Koppai have almost run out of food, the opening monologue tells us, due to “a booming population, a booming appetite and a basic lack of planning.”

Instead, Bufka recommends working on adjusting your inner monologue to something more patient and accepting.

Meditating or journaling, for example, can help you actively listen to that inner monologue and adjust the language you use to process what’s going on around you.

He alternates between bursts of inspiration and intense dissections of medical research or sci-fi movie plots in hard-to-follow monologues that many people find captivating.

We shake hands and he immediately begins a monologue about prison breaks and South America.

Gil took weeks to build a monologue , skillfully turning the words on their head.

In one particularly affecting monologue , AJ discusses his frustration and troubles upon returning to the US.

I never watch television," he says, then corrects himself: "Well, sometimes Carson's monologue .

Rivers continued on her political, authoritarian monologue by describing what kind of tyrant she would be.

Marie answered him whenever his monologue required answer, but she was unresponsive, uninterested—bored.

The first result was a shower of invitations to tea, occasions when Laura was easily led into monologue .

And this time, it was Wade who began talking in a monologue .

In this story we find the furrier engaged in a monologue , in which he tells of his delight in making the Rabbi's cap.

For the first time Bert displayed some interest in the conversation, or monologue , as one might more properly call it.

British Dictionary definitions for monologue

/ ( ˈmɒnəˌlɒɡ ) /

a long speech made by one actor in a play, film, etc, esp when alone

a dramatic piece for a single performer

any long speech by one person, esp when interfering with conversation

Derived forms of monologue

• monologic ( ˌmɒnəˈlɒdʒɪk ) or monological , adjective
• monologist ( ˈmɒnəˌlɒɡɪst , məˈnɒləɡɪst ), noun
• monology ( mɒˈnɒlədʒɪ ), noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

My Definition of Self Respect for Children

This essay about self-respect explores its definition, significance, and the impact it has on individuals’ lives. It describes self-respect as an acknowledgment of one’s inherent worth and the commitment to act in ways that reflect this value. Highlighting the manifestations of self-respect, the essay discusses how it influences personal boundaries, resilience, and reactions to criticism. It further examines the journey of cultivating self-respect through introspection, living according to one’s values, and setting healthy boundaries. Additionally, it addresses the challenge of maintaining self-respect amid societal pressures and expectations. Concluding that self-respect is crucial for a fulfilling life, the essay emphasizes its role in enhancing both personal growth and interpersonal relationships. Through a commitment to self-respect, individuals can navigate life with dignity and a sense of worth that is independent of external achievements or failures.

How it works

Self-respect reverberates profoundly within the inner recesses of our beings, sculpting our interactions, decisions, and perspectives. It’s a notion often brushed upon, occasionally conflated with assurance or self-esteem, yet it stands as a distinct cornerstone in the edifice of our individual identity. At its essence, self-regard entails acknowledging one’s intrinsic worth and value as a person and conducting oneself in manners that mirror and uphold that value. This exposition endeavors to unravel the strata of self-regard, probing its significance, its manifestations in our lives, and the odyssey to nurture it.

Self-respect commences with the comprehension that our value is inherent, not contingent upon external validations or accomplishments. It embodies a fundamental acceptance of oneself, with all imperfections acknowledged, and a dedication to preserving one’s dignity under all circumstances. This doesn’t entail an inflated ego or an impenetrable barrier against critique. Rather, it involves maintaining a balanced self-perception that recognizes shortcomings while also acknowledging strengths and potential.

The manifestation of self-respect is multi-faceted, influencing myriad facets of our existence. It dictates the boundaries we delineate, the company we consort with, and our responses to adversity. An individual harboring self-regard, for instance, is predisposed to extricate themselves from relationships or circumstances that depreciate their self-worth. They are also adept at handling criticism, capable of sieving it for constructive insights without allowing it to undermine their fundamental self-esteem. Furthermore, self-respect fosters resilience, endowing individuals with the capacity to rebound from failures and setbacks with their selfhood intact.

Cultivating self-respect is frequently a voyage punctuated by introspection and evolution. It necessitates a candid evaluation of one’s principles, a pledge to abide by them, and the fortitude to make choices that resonate with these precepts, even when they are unpopular or arduous. This expedition entails learning to extend oneself kindness and forgiveness, recognizing that blunders and setbacks are integral to the human experience and not indicators of inherent unworthiness. Additionally, fostering self-regard often involves mastering the art of refusal, delineating healthy boundaries, and prioritizing one’s well-being.

However, the trajectory to self-respect is not immune to external influences. Society, with its myriad expectations and conventions, frequently exerts pressures that can corrode self-regard. Maneuvering through these pressures while safeguarding one’s sense of self-worth necessitates a robust sense of identity and an unwavering commitment to one’s principles and convictions. It entails striking a balance between adapting to the world and remaining authentic to oneself.

In conclusion, self-regard is an indispensable facet of a gratifying existence. It embodies the silent conviction that we possess worth, irrespective of our triumphs or failures. It molds our interactions with the world, shaping how we delineate boundaries, confront challenges, and pursue our aspirations. Nurturing self-regard is an ongoing expedition of growth and self-discovery. It demands candor, fortitude, and an unwavering allegiance to oneself. Ultimately, self-regard not only enriches our rapport with ourselves but enhances our engagements with others, fostering connections founded on mutual respect and comprehension. As we navigate the intricacies of existence, let us endeavor to preserve the dignity and worth inherent in each of us, for it is in this endeavor that we uncover the true essence of self-regard.

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‘Prejudice, Islamophobia’: Free speech fears as UK redefines extremism

Experts say a new definition disproportionately targets groups that advocate for Muslims’ civil rights.

The United Kingdom government’s new definition of “extremism”, touted as a bid to tackle rising Islamophobia and anti-Semitism in the aftermath of Israel’s war on Gaza, has ignited fierce debate across the political spectrum, with critics on all sides claiming it will erode freedom of speech and civil liberties.

Communities Secretary Michael Gove last month named several UK-based far-right organisations, including the neo-Nazi British National Socialist Movement and the Patriotic Alternative, which will be held “to account to assess if they meet our definition of extremism and [we] will take action as appropriate”.

Keep reading

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Amid heightened domestic tensions since October 7, he also named several prominent groups advocating for Muslims’ civil rights, including the Muslim Council of Britain, the Muslim Association of Britain – which he described as the UK affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood, Cage, and Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND).

“The fact that there are immediately Muslim organisations who are labelled as [‘extremist’] tells you exactly what this piece of legislation is intended for,” said Imran Khan QC, the British lawyer who rose to prominence representing the family of Stephen Lawrence, whose racist murder in 1993 exposed institutional racism in the Metropolitan Police.

Organisations deemed “extreme” under the new definition will be blacklisted, made ineligible for government funding, and they will be banned from meeting with ministers.

“What is the starting point of ‘extreme views’?” said Khan, who has worked on numerous “extremism” and “terrorism” cases following the July 2005 bombings in London, and represented surviving families of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

“The classic example that’s always used is about [Nelson] Mandela being a freedom fighter in one instance, and a terrorist in another,” he told Al Jazeera.

“It’s based on prejudice, Islamophobia, racism, and it will be those sections of society who are not able to protect themselves, who are going to be subject to further prosecution and persecution.”

Britain is home to a sizeable Muslim minority of about four million people, or 6 percent of the population.

The last definition of extremism in the UK, which placed greater emphasis on acts of violence, was drafted in 2011.

Individuals or groups were seen to be “extremist” if they demonstrated “vocal or active opposition to British fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs”.

The revised definition is non-statutory, which means proscribed individuals or groups will not be prosecuted.

The government now says extremism is the “promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance”, and that groups with the following aims will be considered extremist:

1. negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others

2. undermine, overturn or replace the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights

3. or intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve the results in 1 and 2.

The development comes in the wake of weekly national protests held across the UK in solidarity with Palestinians, as Israel’s war on Gaza, which has to date killed about 33,800 people, rages on.

Pro-Palestine rallies in the UK have been riddled with claims that they play host to anti-Semitism. Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman lamented what she called “hate marches” in November after raising the possibility of banning them.

Gove has previously described those attending pro-Palestinian demonstrations as “good-hearted people” who were “lending credence to extremists”.

Amnesty International, Liberty, and Friends of the Earth warned that the latest definition of extremism was too broad.

Other critics say it unfairly targets left-wing, socialist, environmental and anti-fascist groups, such as Palestine Action , which has targeted the UK’s subsidiary factories and offices of Elbit Systems – Israel’s largest arms manufacturer which supplies the majority of land and air munitions used by the Israeli army.

“My worry is that it cannot only serve to further misrepresent and delegitimise such protests, but securitise and criminalise them, Palestinians, Muslims, and the left,” said Aaron Winter, a senior lecturer in sociology at Lancaster University, referring to the naming of MEND, Cage and other organisations by Gove.

He added that while some far-right organisations are also named, the recent opposition to pro-Palestine protests shows the “equivalence is false and indicates that there will be a double standard”.

“This is something we have already seen in the way counter-extremism has disproportionately targeted Muslims.”

In a joint statement published on March 12, the archbishops of Canterbury and York warned the government that its new extremism definition risks “disproportionately targeting Muslim communities” and “driving us apart”.

“The new definition being proposed not only inadvertently threatens freedom of speech, but also the right to worship and peaceful protest – things that have been hard won and form the fabric of a civilised society,” the statement said.

“Crucially, it risks disproportionately targeting Muslim communities, who are already experiencing rising levels of hate and abuse,” it added.

Across the political spectrum, those on the right have also expressed fears the definition could be used to ban groups with socially conservative values around transgender rights, same-sex marriage, or abortion.

“The definition suggests that extremism can be the ‘promotion’ of an ideology based on ‘intolerance’ – this riskily allows for a great deal of subjectivity,” said Rakib Ehsan, an independent counter-extremism analyst.

“Trans-radical activists would argue that believing a biological male can never be a woman is ‘intolerant’,” he added. “Pro-choice organisations might put forward the view that those who support greater protections for the unborn are a fundamental threat to women’s rights.”

In March, Gove said Britons “cherish free speech” and that conservative religious beliefs, anti or pro-trans activists, and environmental protest groups will not have their rights infringed upon.

Days before the new definition was introduced, 12 anti-extremism experts, including three former Conservative home secretaries – Priti Patel, Sajid Javid and Amber Rudd – signed a statement warning about the risks of politicising the issue in the run-up to this year’s general election.

For Khan, the definition evokes memories of othering and racism he felt as the child of Muslim, Pakistani immigrants.

He fears the revised definition will have “more than just a chilling effect” on British Muslims and other disenfranchised communities.

“I fight on behalf of individuals who believe the system isn’t treating them well.  Am I in danger of being labelled an ‘extremist lawyer’ because of somebody who is an extremist?” Khan said.

“We’re becoming more authoritarian, dictatorial [and] preventing legitimate arguments, legitimate attempts at challenging the status quo.”