dramatic Term #1 : SOliloquy
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Soliloquy is simply when characters speak their thoughts aloud , when they believe to be by themselves or unheard by others. Basically it is when a character talks to him or her self. In plays, they are often given in the form of monologues. An example of soliloquy in Romeo and Juliet, would be the balcony scene in Act 2.
"It is my lady, O it is my love:
O that she knew she were!
She speaks, yet she says nothing; what of that?
Her eye discourses, I will answer it.
I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks:
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes,
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, thy in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,
As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See how she leans her cheek upon her hand!
O that I were a glove upon that hand,
That i might touch that cheek!" (II.ii.10-25)
Then also...
" O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet." (II.ii.33-36)
These two quotes from Act Two perfectly represent soliloquy because both Romeo and Juliet were speaking about one another, but only to themselves. In the first quote Romeo addresses that she is speaking ,but not to him. Then in the second quote you can see that she is speaking to herself about Romeo, without knowing that he is in fact listening. Overall perfectly representing soliloquy.
Shakespeare's use of soliloquy enhances the play because it allows the audience to learn the inner thoughts of the characters. Then in the case above, it allows characters to learn the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of other characters. Without the use of soliloquy in the play the audience would have to infer the characters thoughts on certain subjects, there would probably some very awkward, silent periods featuring just one character.
"It is my lady, O it is my love:
O that she knew she were!
She speaks, yet she says nothing; what of that?
Her eye discourses, I will answer it.
I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks:
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes,
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, thy in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,
As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See how she leans her cheek upon her hand!
O that I were a glove upon that hand,
That i might touch that cheek!" (II.ii.10-25)
Then also...
" O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name;
Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I'll no longer be a Capulet." (II.ii.33-36)
These two quotes from Act Two perfectly represent soliloquy because both Romeo and Juliet were speaking about one another, but only to themselves. In the first quote Romeo addresses that she is speaking ,but not to him. Then in the second quote you can see that she is speaking to herself about Romeo, without knowing that he is in fact listening. Overall perfectly representing soliloquy.
Shakespeare's use of soliloquy enhances the play because it allows the audience to learn the inner thoughts of the characters. Then in the case above, it allows characters to learn the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of other characters. Without the use of soliloquy in the play the audience would have to infer the characters thoughts on certain subjects, there would probably some very awkward, silent periods featuring just one character.