Monologues, Soliloquies, and Asides

Monologues, Soliloquies, and Asides

The Reviewening

Let's focus on terms easily confused.

• Monologue: A long speech where one character fully takes over speaking

• Aside: Private words spoken to the audience or between characters that are not heard by others. Typically very short.

• Soliloquy: A long speech for one character to express inner thoughts or feelings to the audience

Let's look at some examples!

In this clip from The Incredibles what all do we see?

• Buddy monopolizes the speech in the scene, even if Mr. Incredible has a few lines

• Buddy is talking and Mr. Incredible responds to the speech, so we know he is actively listening

• This rules out soliloquy, and the moment is certainly not private enough or short enough to be an Aside

Poll

What does Buddy give in this scene? A Monologue, Aside, or Soliloquy?

• Monologue

• Soliloquy

• Aside

Monologue!

Buddy said it himself, he was caught monologuing. Mr. Incredible was included in the speech and the scene. He's actively responding and moving around even though Buddy is doing (almost) all the speaking here. Nothing is aimed at the audience, and even during the flashback we know Buddy is speaking to Mr. Incredible.

What evidence is in the scene?

• Spotlight on one character

• Speaking to the audience, himself, or "no one"

• Long, uninterrupted speech

• Conveys emotion

• Other characters "frozen"

Poll

Benedict Cumberbatch shows us a fantastic what from Hamlet? A Monologue, Aside, or Soliloquy?

• Monologue

• Soliloquy

• Aside

Soliloquy!

We see Benedict Cumberbatch speaking straight at the audience to deliver a message of emotion and inner turmoil. No other characters respond to this speech and it certainly isn't a brief moment.

What clues do we have?

• No one responds to the speech from Jimmy Fallon

• Looks directly at audience, addressing them

• Short bursts of speech

• Explaining a situation

Poll

What's the verdict? Monologue, Aside, or Soliloquy?

• Monologue

• Soliloquy

• Aside

Aside!

What we see from Mr. Fallon is a series of Asides. We see him speak directly to the audience in short moments where he literally turns aside which is where the name comes from. Also, he doesn't reveal inner thoughts, but rather gives the audience information.

And now, a tricky one!

...but probably the most popular.

Poll

So, what do you think? Monologue, Aside, or Soliloquy?

• Monologue

• Soliloquy

• Aside

Open Ended

Why do you think so? Let me know!