What is the term for a speech a character gives when talking to himself, not to be confused with a monologue?

• A. Monologue
• B. Aside
• C. Soliloquy
• D. Dialogue

Answer: (C)

A soliloquy is a speech where a character speaks to themselves, letting the audience hear their private thoughts. It’s usually performed when the character is alone on stage or believes no other characters are listening, so the words reveal internal reasoning and feelings. This is different from an aside, which is a short, quick remark to the audience that other characters on stage don’t hear. It’s also different from a monologue, which is a long speech by a single character that’s directed toward others on stage or the audience, not specifically an inner moment. Finally, dialogue is when characters talk to each other in a back-and-forth conversation. A famous example of a soliloquy is Hamlet’s “To be, or not to be,” where he voices his thoughts directly to the audience.