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What is a Monologue?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

A monologue is a moment in a play, film, or novel, where a character speaks without being interrupted by any other characters. These speeches can be addressed to someone, or spoken to the actor's self or to the audience, in which case they are called soliloquies. Another type of this speech, especially in novels, is the interior monologue, where a character has a long bout of thinking personal thoughts that aren’t interrupted by speech or actions. This technique may also be used in film, where a voiceover provides the inner thoughts of the character.

This type of speech can serve in a number of ways. It can forward the plot by signifying the character’s intentions, it can reveal information about the character’s thought processes, or it may simply serve to more fully flesh out a character. It also gives actors an opportunity to express dramatic range and is akin to “solos” in music. In fact, some operatic arias are considered monologues, since a character has a chance to sing alone, and this tradition continues in the modern musical. Many musicals make use of songs sung by an individual to flesh out characters, forward plot or explain details.

Hamlet's "to be or not to be" speech is one example of a monologue.
Hamlet's "to be or not to be" speech is one example of a monologue.

Actors look for monologues in plays, especially ones that show dramatic range. This is because many auditions require actors to perform these speeches to demonstrate their acting ability. Fortunately, finding good material is not particularly difficult, and uninterrupted spoken parts are commonplace in most plays, movies, and teleplays. In auditions, actors must find speeches that are usually no more than two minutes in length, and they may be asked to perform two. Most seasoned actors, especially in the theater world, develop several pieces they particularly like and that most represent their dramatic range or their abilities to play very different types of characters.

Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is known for its monologues.
Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is known for its monologues.

The student of drama may start learning how to act by first learning how to perform a monologue. There are some common mistakes along the way, such as performing ones that many others have performed before. It’s also usually important to not take the speech out of context. Reading a play and digging deep to understand why a character is saying what he or she is saying, and how the person might deliver a two minute speech, is very valuable.

An actor reciting his monologue.
An actor reciting his monologue.

Some general advice for new performers looking for monologues to perform is to choose plays or films that are a bit less well known but will express good dramatic range. For instance, someone who is looking for one from Shakespeare might want to avoid Hamlet’s “To Be or not To Be” and perhaps choose something from a play that is less often performed. The trouble with choosing a very well known piece is that most people will have their own impression of how it should be performed, and it’s hard not to copy the performances of others.

Movie actors may have to recite a monologue.
Movie actors may have to recite a monologue.

Actors should additionally consider how well they might “fit” a certain character. Someone who is 50 years old should probably avoid pieces that don’t fit his age, and a young adult might not want to perform a piece that is written for a much older person. On the other hand, some monologues survive well under adaptation, and for the purpose of practice, many of them are great to memorize and try out to allow the actor to learn more about himself as a performer.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseTour contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseTour contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

truman12

When I am doing a scene with another person I do just fine. But when I am delivering a monologue I get really nervous and flustered.

It is completely different. With another actor you can feed off of each other and you are not the center of attention. But with a monologue it is just you. Success or failure is all on your shoulders. That can produce a lot of anxiety in an actor.

disciples

I have to recite a one minute monologue for my acting class next week. I haven't started yet! Help! Does anyone know a good one I can find online?

vigilant

People often recite monologues as part of speech and debate class or when they are auditioning to be in a play or movie. I have heard many and I feel like people almost always pick classic monologues from far in the past. Are there any contemporary monologues that are exceptional? What are the new classics?

anon291937

When performing, be yourself and make it your own.

elizabeth2

It's true that different monologues fit different people. I love performing dramatic monologues from Shakespeare plays. I've got a few of the less common ones down, but I'm never happy with my performance if I have to do a different type, for instance, a funny monologue.

rosoph

I was scared to death the first time I had to perform a monologue. It's very intimidating to have to speak all by yourself for even one to two minutes. Every one is watching you and focusing on you alone.

But, I did it, and now it's not so bad. In fact, I've actually come to like having the chance to perform a monologue.

roxytalks

I think that when auditioning for a play, monologues are a great way to go. It really gives you a chance to show what you can do, without having to worry about the other people who may be auditioning.

There's nothing worse than having one of your best auditions interrupted by the mistake of a fellow actor. Even if you've done a great job, it won't be as noticeable if the scene is flawed.

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    • Hamlet's "to be or not to be" speech is one example of a monologue.
      By: Arsgera
      Hamlet's "to be or not to be" speech is one example of a monologue.
    • Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is known for its monologues.
      By: Jasmin
      Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is known for its monologues.
    • An actor reciting his monologue.
      By: greyloch
      An actor reciting his monologue.
    • Movie actors may have to recite a monologue.
      By: Haider Yousuf
      Movie actors may have to recite a monologue.
    • A film might rely on a voiceover monologue to reveal a character's inner thoughts.
      By: ID1974
      A film might rely on a voiceover monologue to reveal a character's inner thoughts.
    • Some actors choose monologue from a similar character when auditioning for a part.
      By: seandeburca
      Some actors choose monologue from a similar character when auditioning for a part.