In theatre, a monologue is a speech presented by a single character, most often to express their thoughts aloud, though sometimes also to address another character or the audience directly. Monologues appear across dramatic media as well as in non-dramatic forms such as poetry and stand-up comedy, and they share ground with related devices including soliloquies, apostrophes and asides, though each is understood as distinct.
Facts
Place of Origin Notable ExampleA monologue performed by Christopher Walken in the 1984 stage play Hurlyburly 1 Defining TraitA speech presented by a single character, most often to express their thoughts aloud, though sometimes to directly address another character or the audience 1 FAQs
How is a monologue different from a soliloquy?
A soliloquy shares a character's thoughts with the audience without addressing other characters, while a monologue can also be aimed at another character or the audience.
A monologue is a speech by a single character, most often voicing their thoughts aloud, though it can also address another character or the audience. A soliloquy is narrower: the character relates their thoughts and feelings to themself and to the audience without addressing any of the other characters. Monologues are also distinct from apostrophes, which address an imaginary person, an inanimate object or an idea, and from asides, which are shorter and are not heard by other characters.
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Source Monologue - Wikipedia
Sources
1. Monologue - Wikipedia
History section, opening sentence
In ancient Greek theatre, the origin of western drama, the conventional three actor rule was preceded by a two-actor rule, which was itself preceded by a convention in which only a single actor would appear on stage, along with the chorus.
Image caption
Actor Christopher Walken performing a monologue in the 1984 stage play Hurlyburly
Lead paragraph, first sentence
In theatre, a monologue (also spelled monolog in American English) is a speech presented by a single character, most often to express their thoughts aloud, though sometimes also to directly address another character or the audience.
In Group: Short and Solo Stage Forms, Lead paragraph
is a speech presented by a single character, most often to express their thoughts aloud
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