Critical Analysis: Soliloquies in Macbeth
A soliloquy is a monologue, delivered by a character alone on stage.
Soliloquies are central to the play because in them there is only truth. There is no deception as
o
there might be when speaking to other characters.
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Soliloquies contain the most powerful emotion and imagery in the play.
o
Soliloquies are extremely important in revealing character, and are only spoken by the most
important characters in the play
There are several soliloquies in the first 3 Acts of Shakespeare’s Macbeth:

Act I.vii:1-28 “If It Were Done When 'Tis Done…”

Act I. v: 40-57 “The raven himself is hoarse…”

Act I.vii: 1-28 “If it were done…”

Act II.i: 40-71 “Is This A Dagger Which I See Before Me…”

Act III.i: 52-76: “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus...”
PART A: SOLILOQUY CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Choose one of the soliloquies listed above and compose a critical analysis of it. This means that you
will:
1. Identify and explain the dramatic purposes of the soliloquy (related to plot, character, mood,
atmosphere, etc.)
2. Identify any/all themes evident in the soliloquy
3. Identify 2-3 literary devices present in the soliloquy and the effect of each device on the
soliloquy and its purpose as a whole
Formatting: Your response should:
o
Be one and a half pages typed and double-spaced
o
Identify and discuss at least two dramatic purposes, 2-3 literary devices and at least
one theme
o
Be written in formal, literary language
o
Use quotations from the text and the MLA citation method
DATE ASSIGNED: __________________
WORK PERIOD(S):______________________________
DUE DATE: _______________
PART A: THE BRAIN STORM
Soliloquy to be analyzed: ___________________________________________.
Literary Device
Quotation
Effect
i.e. repetition, metaphor, juxtaposition,
simile, rhetorical question, onomatopoeia, etc
Include Act, scene, lines
i.e. does it create tension, emphasize
something, connect with the reader, etc?
Dramatic Purpose
Quotation
Explanation
Theme
Quotation
Explanation/Significance
Related to character, plot development,
mood, atmosphere, etc.
PART B: SOLILOQUY PRESENTATION
You will now join forces with others in the class who have analyzed the same soliloquy you have.
Together, you will design a performance of the chosen soliloquy which can be either performed in
front of class on the due date or pre-recorded and submitted on a flash drive in class for viewing on
the due date.
Your presentation should:
o
Artistically and dramatically interpret the soliloquy
o
Emphasize the soliloquy’s dramatic purpose(s) and themes (through various dramatic
movements, speech, sounds, etc.)
o
Involve all members of the group equally (all members must participate in the presentation)
o
Utilize costumes, props, and other dramatic elements
DATE ASSIGNED: __________________
WORK PERIOD(S):______________________________
DUE DATE: _______________
PART B: THE BRAIN STORM
Role
Person Responsible
Things to Do/Notes
Soliloquy Critical Analysis Evaluation
Level 1
“limited”
Criteria
Level 2
“some”
Level 3
“considerable”
Level 4
“insightful”
Knowledge/Understanding
o
o
Demonstrates __ understanding of
Dramatic Purpose, Literary Devices
& Theme
Accurate use of textual proof
Accurate use of literary language
o
Thinking/Inquiry
o
Quality of and logic of analysis
Communication
o
Use of language conventions
o
Well-developed paragraphs
o
Proper use of MLA format
Application
o Insightful (beyond the obvious)
connections between ideas
Comments:
Soliloquy Dramatic Presentation Evaluation
Criteria
Knowledge/Understanding
o Demonstrates __ understanding of
the soliloquy
Thinking/Inquiry
o
o
Demonstrates creativity in dramatic
representation of soliloquy
Prepared for presentation – uses
class time given
Communication
o Voice tone/pitch/volume/pace/
enunciation
Application
o Application o f drama conventions
Comments:
Level 1
“limited”
Level 2
“some”
Level 3
“considerable”
Level 4
“insightful”