Etymology of Dramatic Monologue
The term “dramatic monologue” has its etymological roots in the fusion of two distinct components, each bearing rich literary traditions. The term “dramatic” derives from the Greek word “dramatikos,” signifying something pertaining to drama or the theatrical arts.
In the context of literature, “dramatic” conveys the idea of presenting a narrative through the voice of a character distinct from the author, thus suggesting a performative aspect.
“Monologue,” on the other hand, has its origins in the Greek “monologos,” which means “speaking alone.” It is characterized by a soliloquy or an extended speech by a single character, reflecting their inner thoughts, emotions, or experiences.
The combination of “dramatic” and “monologue” captures the essence of this literary form—a single character’s expressive speech within a narrative, often revealing their internal dilemmas and providing a dramatic dimension to the text, popularized notably by Victorian poets like Robert Browning.
Meanings of Dramatic Monologue
| Aspect | Meaning |
| Self-Expression: | Provides a platform for characters to express thoughts and emotions directly to an audience or an imaginary listener. |
| Soliloquy vs. Monologue: | Distinguishes between soliloquies (inner thoughts without an audience) and monologues (addressing an audience or an imagined listener). |
| Exploration of Character: | Allows for in-depth character development by revealing motivations, personality, and struggles. |
| Emotional Intensity: | Often emotionally charged, as characters express their deepest fears, desires, and regrets. |
| Narrative Device: | Used to convey important information or advance the plot in literature and theater. |
| Key Examples: | Robert Browning’s “My Last Duchess” and T.S. Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” are famous examples. |
| Literary and Theatrical Use: | Found in poetry, plays, and prose, both in classic and contemporary literature and theater. |
| Persona and Unreliable Narrators: | Characters may adopt personas or present themselves as unreliable narrators, adding complexity to the narrative and interpretation. |
Definition of Dramatic Monologue
A dramatic monologue is a literary device in which a character, often the speaker, delivers a speech that reveals their inner thoughts, emotions, and experiences to an audience or an imaginary listener. This device allows for an in-depth exploration of the character’s psyche and often serves as a means of self-expression. It is commonly used in poetry and drama to provide insight into a character’s motivations, personality, and the thematic elements of a work.
Types of Dramatic Monologue
| Type | Definition | Example |
| Character Monologue | Expresses a character’s emotions and personal reflections, offering insights into their inner world. | Hamlet’s soliloquies in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” |
| Historical Monologue | Portrays historical figures expressing their thoughts and experiences in a fictionalized or dramatized context. | Mark Antony’s funeral oration in “Julius Caesar.” |
| Persona Monologue | Characters adopt different identities to explore various perspectives, adding complexity to the narrative. | The Duke’s monologue in Robert Browning’s “My Last Duchess.” |
| Social/Political Monologue | Addresses social or political issues, allowing characters to voice opinions, concerns, and critiques, often for social commentary. | Henry Higgins’ speeches in George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion.” |
| Interior Monologue | Reveals a character’s stream of consciousness, offering unfiltered thoughts and an intimate view of their mental processes. | Molly Bloom’s monologue in James Joyce’s “Ulysses.” |
| Confessional Monologue | Characters share secrets, regrets, or guilty feelings with the audience, often in a cathartic and emotionally charged manner. | John Proctor’s confession in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible.” |
| Epic Monologue | Elaborate monologues used to tell stories, provide historical accounts, or offer philosophical insights, common in epic literature. | Satan’s speeches in John Milton’s “Paradise Lost.” |
| Satirical Monologue | Uses humor and irony to mock or criticize individuals, institutions, or societal norms, serving as social commentary. | Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal.” |
| Socratic Dialogue | Characters engage in philosophical discussions, often mimicking Socratic questioning, to explore complex ideas and values. | Socrates’ dialogue with Phaedrus in Plato’s “Phaedrus.” |
| Stream-of-Consciousness Monologue | Provides an unstructured flow of a character‘s thoughts, depicting the chaotic nature of human thinking. | Clarissa Dalloway’s inner monologue in Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway.” |
Shakespearean Dramatic Monologues
| Dramatic Monologue | Reference | Explanation |
| “To be or not to be” | Hamlet by William Shakespeare | In this famous soliloquy, Hamlet reflects on the nature of life, death, and the human condition, contemplating the idea of existence and the fear of the unknown. |
| “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow” | Macbeth by William Shakespeare | Macbeth’s monologue expresses his deep sense of despair, the relentless passage of time, and the emptiness of life. |
| “All the world’s a stage” | As You Like It by William Shakespeare | Jaques describes the stages of a person’s life, emphasizing the universal experiences and roles people play throughout their lives. |
| “O for a Muse of fire” | Henry V by William Shakespeare | The Chorus’s prologue sets the stage for the epic events of the play and invokes the power of poetic inspiration. |
| “Now is the winter of our discontent” | Richard III by William Shakespeare | Richard’s opening monologue reveals his ambition, manipulation, and villainous intentions. |
| “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears” | Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare | Mark Antony’s speech sways the Roman crowd and turns them against the conspirators who assassinated Caesar. |
| “If you prick us, do we not bleed?” | The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare | Shylock’s monologue humanizes him and expresses his desire for revenge, highlighting the theme of prejudice. |
| “This above all: to thine own self be true” | Hamlet by William Shakespeare | Polonius imparts advice to his son Laertes, emphasizing the importance of self-authenticity and honesty. |
| “Is this a dagger which I see before me” | Macbeth by William Shakespeare | Macbeth’s soliloquy reveals his inner turmoil and descent into madness as he contemplates the murder he is about to commit. |
| “The quality of mercy is not strained” | The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare | Portia’s speech argues for the importance of mercy and compassion in the context of Antonio’s trial. |
Suggested Readings
- Gubar, Susan. The Madwoman in the Attic: The Woman Writer and the Nineteenth-Century Literary Imagination. Yale University Press, 2000.
- Shaw, W. David. “The Victorian Imagination: Essays in Aesthetic Exploration.” Modern Language Quarterly 42.2 (1981): 199-202.
- Kucich, John. Imperial Masochism: British Fiction, Fantasy, and Social Class. Princeton University Press, 2007.
- Miller, J. Hillis. Victorian Subjects. Duke University Press, 1991.
- McFarland, Thomas. Romanticism and the Forms of Ruin: Wordsworth, Coleridge, and the Modalities of Fragmentation. Princeton University Press, 1981.