What is a Soliloquy? - Definition and Example

If you are a student of English literature, or by any means, you read English literature i.e. dramas, plays, novels etc. You might have struck with a technical term, very frequently used, Soliloquy.

This article will cover:

1. What is a Soliloquy? - The Definition of Soliloquy

2. What purpose does it serve? - The Purpose of Soliloquy

3. What role does it play in the development of a drama? - The Importance of Soliloquy

4. A video example of Hamlet's most praised soliloquy - An example of Soliloquy.

Explanation:

What is a soliloquy?

The term "Soliloquy" ( so-lil-o-quy) is generally used as a means of character revelation or character manifestation to the audience or the reader of the drama. Soliloquy 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; also while doing so, it preserves the secrecy of those thoughts from the other characters of that drama.

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.

Purposes:

What is the purpose of soliloquy?

The main purpose of a soliloquy remains to acquaint the audience or the reader, the secret thoughts and/or intentions that the character is having in his mind.

It also puts light on the external relationships, thoughts, and the future actions related to the character and to the other characters of the drama. Hence, it also discloses the feelings, the thoughts that the character has in his mind for the others.

Development of plot:

Furthermore, the soliloquy also acquaints us of the development of the play with what the speaker decides to do in his mind. It means that, after having the knowledge of the secret thoughts of the character, and his/her intentions, we can presume what is next to come.

Summary:

1. A soliloquy means, when a character of a drama/play conveys his/her secret thoughts and/or intentions to the audience or the readers.

2. While doing so, he/she preserves the secrecy of those thoughts/intentions from other characters of the drama. It just the character and the reader.

3. It helps the audience/reader to better understand: the character, his thoughts, his intentions, and the presumable development of the play.

Example:

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.

P.S: This is Hamlet's Fourth Soliloquy (TO BE OR NOT TO BE). This is one of the most excellent and celebrated soliloquy and is a pivotal pillar in English literature.

You can clearly understand by watching the video, as a soliloquy example, that what is a soliloquy?

You can observe that Hamlet, in this example of soliloquy, shares his thoughts with the audience, while no other characters are involved in it i.e. preserving the secrecy of thoughts. And when Ophelia comes in, he stops the soliloquy.