Dramatic Monologue
Dramatic monologue means self-conversation, speech or talks which includes 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.
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.
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
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.