Soliloquy

Definition

A soliloquy is a dramatic device where a character speaks their thoughts aloud, typically when alone on stage, revealing their inner feelings and motivations to the audience. This technique allows for deep psychological insight and is often used to explore themes of conflict, ambition, and human emotion, making it a vital element in various forms of drama, including revenge tragedies, the works of notable playwrights, and the structure of sonnets.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Soliloquies allow characters to express their innermost thoughts and dilemmas, often leading to pivotal moments in the plot.
2. In revenge tragedies, soliloquies are crucial for showcasing a character's internal conflict and desire for vengeance, adding depth to their motivations.
3. Shakespeare is known for his masterful use of soliloquies, with famous examples including Hamlet's 'To be or not to be' speech that explores existential themes.
4. Marlowe also utilized soliloquies effectively in his plays to reveal the ambitions and emotional struggles of his protagonists.
5. In the context of Shakespearean sonnets, while they are not traditional soliloquies, the poetic structure often mirrors the reflective quality found in soliloquies.

Review Questions

• How does a soliloquy enhance a character's development in revenge tragedies?
  • In revenge tragedies, soliloquies serve as a powerful tool for character development by allowing the audience to access the protagonist's internal struggles and motivations. For instance, when characters express their plans for revenge or reflect on moral dilemmas, it creates empathy and understanding from the audience. This intimate glimpse into their psyche adds complexity to their actions and decisions throughout the play.
• Compare the use of soliloquies in Shakespeare's plays to that in Thomas Kyd's works.
  • Shakespeare's use of soliloquies often showcases complex emotional and philosophical reflections, as seen in Hamlet's contemplations on existence. In contrast, Thomas Kyd's works tend to use soliloquies more for advancing the plot and revealing motives related to revenge. Both playwrights effectively utilize this device, but while Shakespeare delves into deep psychological themes, Kyd focuses on immediate motivations tied to action.
• Evaluate how soliloquies contribute to the thematic depth of Christopher Marlowe's plays compared to those of Shakespeare.
  • Soliloquies play a crucial role in adding thematic depth to both Marlowe's and Shakespeare's plays. In Marlowe's works like 'Doctor Faustus,' soliloquies reveal the protagonist's inner turmoil regarding ambition and desire for power, thus exploring themes of human limitation and hubris. Conversely, Shakespeare employs soliloquies not only for character introspection but also for broader themes of love, mortality, and identity. This distinction highlights how both playwrights use soliloquies as a vehicle for thematic exploration but with different emphases on personal versus universal dilemmas.

Related terms

Aside: A brief remark made by a character intended to be heard by the audience but not by other characters on stage, used to convey private thoughts.

Monologue: A long speech by one character that expresses their thoughts or feelings, typically directed towards other characters rather than to themselves.

Dramatic Irony:

A situation in which the audience knows more about a character's situation than the character does, often highlighted through soliloquies.