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Methodology For A Soliloquy

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51 views2 pages

Methodology For A Soliloquy

Uploaded by

eleveyoussef.shalaby
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Methodology of Writing a Soliloquy

What is a soliloquy?

Most will remember Hamlet’s famous speech – “to be or not to be”. It is one of the most known
soliloquies in theatrical arts.

A soliloquy is a dramatic literary device used when a character gives a speech that reveals something about
their inner thoughts. It is also referred to as an internal monologue. The difference between a soliloquy
and a monologue is that monologues are spoken to be heard (by the audience or another character),
whereas the soliloquy is spoken to oneself. In essence, it is the voice in the character’s head that allows
them to explore their thoughts and process their feelings.

Pros of a Soliloquy:
 Develops character/encourages connection. The audience can get to know the characters, how
they work and what their purpose is. It builds an emotional connection with the audience via
understanding.
 Exposition – Helps to build and tell the story and can fill in the gaps if needed.
 Involves the audience directly. Only the audience is able to hear the character’s thoughts, so it
becomes more direct and personal.

How to write a soliloquy?

To write a soliloquy, you must get into the mind of a character. You need to understand what motivates
that character’s actions, ideas and emotions. Choose a character you understand well and consider what is
puzzling them. Your character should have some kind of strong feelings or a difficult decision to make.
Then imagine what that character would say about the situation. Is he angry? Is he sad? Is he lost? Is he
happy?

The form of a soliloquy tells the audience something about the character and their state of mind. So, an
intelligent character in a calm moment will deliver a well-structured soliloquy that moves from one topic
to the next in an orderly fashion. However, a more erratic character (or one experiencing extreme
emotions) should deliver a much more disjointed and chaotic soliloquy.

Tips for writing a soliloquy:

1. Start with a compelling opening line, engaging the audience (an exclamation or a rhetorical
question)
2. Present a strong point of view
3. Develop a storyline (starting with a hook and building up to a climax)
4. Wrap up with parting words

How to deliver the soliloquy: remember to follow

 The rules of punctuation and line ending (indicate a change in direction of thought: the more
broken your thought is, the less confidence you’ll have to show)
 Add alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia (important images within a speech)
What tense are soliloquies written in?

Characters are encouraged to speak in the present tense and in long and complex sentences.

Examples of scenarios where you might use a soliloquy and talk to yourself:

When you are worried about how you did on a test, and you talk to yourself about how you did.

When you get angry and you rant to yourself about what is making you upset.

When you don’t like someone and you are talking to yourself about why you do not like someone.

When you are at a sporting event and you are talking to yourself about how to win the game or get a
point.

When you are doing homework or a task and you talk to yourself about how to finish the task.

When you get excited about something and talk to yourself about how excited and happy you are.

To Be or Not to Be – Hamlet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dZMJM-LGzQ

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/video/2015/mar/09/maxine-peake-as-hamlet-to-be-or-not-to-be-
video

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