Soliloquy
Iswariya Baskar
Can you tell me what soliloquy is?
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Soliloquy: an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play.
Another Definition
The term "Soliloquy" ( so-lil-o-quy) is used as a tool or process by which the dramatist conveys the secret thoughts and/or intentions of the character, to the audience or the reader of the drama, but.
A soliloquy is generally made when the character is alone, or when he/she thinks to be alone, in order to preserve the secrecy from other characters.
Purpose
Examples in Literature
Shakespeare made extensive use of soliloquies in his plays.
Example #1
- “O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.”
(Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare)
Juliet was thinking aloud about the traditional enmity between Romeo’s clan and her family, expressing her hopelessness about the success of their love.
Here is an example of a soliloquy. In this soliloquy example, Prince Hamlet, is conveying his secret thoughts and intentions. You can notice though that it is only in between the listener and Hamlet. Thus, the secrecy of his intentions will remain intact.