Honors English 1
Mr. Ronzoni
Writing a soliloquy
A soliloquy is a speech delivered alone on stage by a character. The speaker may appear to be
speaking to herself or himself, or to a specific, usually imaginary audience. In most plays (especially
Shakespearean), soliloquies are used to illuminate a character’s inner thoughts to the audience. No
other technique can perform the function of supplying essential progress of the action of the story
better than a soliloquy. It is used not only to convey the development of the play to the audience,
but it also provides an opportunity to see inside the mind of a character.
Here are several examples:
Expressing an inner conflict:
In Act IV, Scene iv, Juliet speaks her innermost thoughts when she is
about to drink the Friar’s potion:
Farewell! God knows when we shall meet again.
I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins
That almost freezes up the heat of life.
I’ll call them back again to comfort me.
Nurse! - What should she do here?
My dismal scene I must needs act alone.
Describing how a person views another person:
Romeo is under Juliet’s balcony, gazing at her in Act II, Scene ii:
But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the East, and Juliet is the sun. . . .
It is my lady! O, it is my love!
O, that she knew she were!
Expressing anger or happiness:
Juliet awaits the return of Nurse in Act II, Scene v:
The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse;
In half an hour she promised to return.
Perchance she cannot meet him. That’s not so.
O, she is lame. . . .
Had she affections and warm youthful blood,
She would be as swift in motion as a ball.
A soliloquy may also describe how a character views herself or himself, or how she or he views
the world. Remember that a soliloquy is written in first person.
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Honors English 1
Mr. Ronzoni
Writing a soliloquy
2
Think about the context.
You need to understand where the soliloquy is in relation to the whole play and the character’s
journey through it. Reading and knowing the entire play is crucial. In particular, think about
what has happened immediately before the speech. Usually, a soliloquy is triggered by a key
event; this is why Shakespeare gives his characters time to make sense of their situation. Your
first job is to demonstrate the character’s feelings at the beginning of the soliloquy.
Analyze the structure of the text.
A soliloquy is a mini play in itself. It has a beginning, middle, and end. Divide the text up into
subsections or parts, each with a separate function; for example, “part one - initial anger.” Once
you have divided up the speech, you can begin to think about what to include in each section.
Think about your character’s situation.
This is crucial to the way in which the character behaves in the scene. Depending on the
situation, make the audience feel as if they are actually present in the scene.
Sequence the information.
Having established the basics (context, structure, and situation), begin to sequence the
information and develop the work. Your audience should not be able to see the joints between
your sections. The soliloquy should flow smoothly from one part to the next.
A soliloquy should elicit an outpouring of feeling from the speaker. As well, it should advance
the story or narrative by clarifying the speaker’s intentions, wants, or beliefs, or altering the
speaker’s relationship with the other characters. The soliloquy often occurs when a character is
facing an extreme crisis, a dramatic moment in the plot, or a “do-or-die” situation where simple
actions can no longer suitably convey the immense feeling or desire with which the character is
dealing.
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Honors English 1
Mr. Ronzoni
Writing a soliloquy
3
Assignment
You will write a soliloquy using iambic pentameter, a line of verse with five metrical feet, each
consisting of one short (or unstressed) syllable followed by one long (or stressed) syllable; for
example, Two households, both alike in dignity.
!
!
!
!
!
Choose your subject and write about it. Get it all out. Stay deep and true to the rhythm of
the poetic movement rolling through you, but get everything about the subject down on
paper.
Check your rough draft to see if anything is missing. If you need to add a line, do so. If
you’re missing a metaphor or simile, add it.
Read the rough draft aloud. Check the sequence of lines and make sure that one flows
into the other.
Move through your poem with an editor’s pen and make sure you’ve selected the words
that give proper accent and cadence, or rhythmic pattern.
Read the soliloquy aloud until it flows, and you feel it inside. That’s a sure sign of a
well-completed work.
Guidelines
You must type neatly. Double space and use a 12-point, Times New Roman font. Print out your
final copy in black. If your computer or printer is not functioning properly, make sure that you
can get access to working machines. You may use a computer and printer in Room 304 or in the
library. Use MLA format. Leave a margin of 1" on all sides.
Check your poem for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Then proofread again, make
corrections, and run the copy you will turn in as your final draft. Your paper must be neat and
error-free. You must submit your rough draft, showing corrections.
Write the paper in formal English. You do not have to use Shakespearean English, but you must
write in iambic pentameter. Be careful of anachronisms, attributing customs, events, or
objects to a period to which they do not belong. Do not use slang. You may use contractions.
Your soliloquy will have a minimum of 25 lines and a maximum of 40 lines, with a
minimum of seven words in each line.
Students who are absent on the due date must submit the paper by e-mail no later than 8
a.m. that day. They just then submit the soliloquy and the packet on the day that they
return to school.
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Honors English 1
Mr. Ronzoni
Writing a soliloquy
4
Choose one of the three options listed. Show your knowledge of the play in your soliloquy.
Choice #1 - Juliet speaks
Background
Immerse yourself in the character of Juliet. You have just awakened from “death” in the tomb.
Friar Lawrence has pleaded with you to leave with him because the watchmen are approaching,
but you refuse to do so. You take the dagger from Romeo, planning to join him in the afterlife.
Directions
Write a soliloquy from Juliet’s perspective, expressing her thoughts and feelings about the recent
occurrences. Consider including the following:
<
Reacting to Lady Capulet’s news that Paris would like to marry Juliet
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Meeting Romeo at the Capulet party
<
Speaking with Romeo while she stood on the balcony
<
Fearing that Nurse had not spoken with Romeo
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Receiving the potion from Friar Laurence
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Waking from her “death-like trance” in the tomb
Choice #2 - Romeo speaks
Background
Immerse yourself in the character of Romeo. You have arrived at the Capulets’ tomb to “lie with
Juliet.” Paris approaches you, a fight ensues, and you kill Paris. You grant Paris’ dying wish, to
be placed in the tomb with Juliet. You then speak to Juliet’s “body.”
Directions
Write a soliloquy from Romeo’s perspective, expressing his thoughts and feelings about the
recent occurrences. Consider including the following:
<
Meeting Juliet at the Capulets’ party
<
Speaking with Juliet in the Capulets’ courtyard
<
Visiting Friar Laurence after leaving Juliet
<
Meeting Juliet at Friar Laurence’s cell for the wedding
<
Fighting with Tybalt
<
Living in Mantua after being banished from Verona
<
Receiving news of Juliet’s death
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Honors English 1
Mr. Ronzoni
Writing a soliloquy
5
Choice #3 - Friar Laurence speaks
Background
Immerse yourself in the character of Friar Laurence. When you find out that Juliet will marry
Paris, you give her a potion that will simulate death. You write a letter to Romeo explaining
Juliet’s “death,” but Romeo never receives the letter. Frantically, you rush to the tomb, hoping to
intercept Romeo and to meet with Juliet when she awakens. Upon entering the tomb, you find
both Romeo and Paris dead, and Juliet waking from her drug-induced sleep. You hear the
watchmen coming and plead with Juliet to leave with you. She refuses, and you run from the
churchyard. You stop and reflect on what has happened.
Directions
Write a soliloquy from Friar Laurence’s perspective, expressing, his thoughts and feelings about
the recent occurrences. Consider including the following:
<
Deciding to perform the wedding ceremony with the hope of ending the feud
<
Speaking with Romeo after he is banished from Verona
<
Meeting with Juliet after Lord Capulet sets the wedding date
<
Arriving at the Capulets’ home on Juliet’s wedding day
<
Receiving the news from Friar John that the letter was not delivered to Romeo
<
Arriving at the churchyard and discovering that the door to the Capulets’ tomb is open
<
Running from the churchyard
http://www.webexhibits.org/poetry/explore_famous_free_make.html
http://w w w .w ikihow .com/W rite-D ramatic-M onologue
http://shakespeare.about.com/od/teachingshakespeare/a/ts_soliloquy.htm
tbabrennan.w eebly.com/uploads/9/.../personal_soliloquy_assignment.doc