soliloquy Definition
an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play.
Using soliloquy: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "soliloquy" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
In Hamlet, the famous soliloquy begins with the words 'To be or not to be'.
Example
The character's soliloquy revealed his innermost thoughts and feelings.
Example
She often practiced her speeches as soliloquies in front of the mirror.
soliloquy Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with soliloquy
a loud whisper by an actor intended to be heard by the audience, but supposedly not by other characters on stage
Example
The actor delivered his lines in a stage whisper during the soliloquy.
a remark made by a character in a play that is intended to be heard by the audience but unheard by the other characters in the play
Example
The character's aside during the soliloquy provided insight into his true intentions.
a type of poem in which a speaker addresses a silent listener, revealing himself or herself in the context of a dramatic situation
Example
Robert Browning's 'My Last Duchess' is a famous example of a dramatic monologue.
Origins of soliloquy
from Latin 'solus', meaning 'alone' and 'loqui', meaning 'to speak'
Summary: soliloquy in Brief
A 'soliloquy' [səˈlɪləkwi] is a speech given by a character in a play who is alone or believes themselves to be alone. It is a way for the character to express their innermost thoughts and feelings to the audience. The term is often used interchangeably with 'monologue,' and can be contrasted with 'aside,' which is a remark made by a character intended only for the audience's benefit.
