Monologue

Origin

Middle French, French monologue speech in a play delivered by a single actor (early 16th cent.; 1811 in sense ‘long speech delivered by one person who forgets or neglects the presence of others.

• 1549

Definitions

• 1a : soliloquy

b : a dramatic sketch performed by one actor

c : the routine of a stand-up comic

• 2: a literary composition written in the form of a soliloquy
• 3: a long speech monopolizing conversation

Description

A monologue (or monolog) is when the character may be speaking his or her thoughts aloud, directly addressing another character, or speaking to the audience, especially the former. Monologues are common across the range of dramatic media (plays, films, animation, etc.). It is distinct from a soliloquy, which is where a character relates his or her thoughts and feelings to him/herself and to the audience without addressing any of the other characters. It is also distinct from an apostrophe, wherein the speaker or writer addresses an imaginary person, or inanimate object, or idea.