Types of Speeches Aside, Soliloquy, and Monologue Dialogue: the conversations between characters Types of Speeches Aside, Soliloquy, and Monologue 

Aside- a brief comment a character makes that is not heard by anyone else onstage. This statement reveals the character’s thoughts or feelings. Ex. Act II. scene ii p. 862 Lines 130-133 Brutus “That every like is not the same, O Caesar, The heart of Brutus earns to think upon.” Brutus is not alone when he says this others are on the stage, but they can not hear what he is saying. This is like in Saved by the Bell when Zach says time out and steps out and speaks to the audience.  

Ex. Act I. scene ii p. 321-322 Lines 308-322 Soliloquy- speech made by a character alone onstage. This type of Speech often lets us know the true feelings and motivations of a character. Ex. Act I. scene ii p. 321-322 Lines 308-322  Cassius “Well Brutus, thou art noble; yet I see Thy honorable mettle may be wrought From that it is disposed; therefore it is meet That noble minds keep ever with their likes; For who so firm that cannot be seduced?…” Cassius is alone onstage when he says this. This allows us to learn his true motivations. This is how we learn that he is manipulating Brutus.

Monologue- a very long speech by one person without interruption Monologue- a very long speech by one person without interruption. The other characters onstage can hear what is being said. Ex. Act I. scene ii. p. 832-833 Lines 90-131 Cassius “I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, As well as I do know your outward favor. Well, honor is the subject of my story. I cannot tell what you and other men Think of this life, but for my single self, I had as lief not be, as live to be In awe of such a thing as I myself….”   Cassius is speaking to Brutus. Brutus is on the stage and can hear what is being said. We often do not learn a characters true feelings and motives in this type of a speech.

Aside-Others are on stage, but can not hear what is being said Soliloquy- No one is on the stage, only the audience hears what is being said Monologue- Others are on the stage and hear what is being said.

Imagery is used to create an impression of a character, a place, or an event. By using imagery, an author can give a deeper, more powerful description of a character. Which sentence gives you a better mind picture? “What is it that Caesar has eaten that has made him so strong?” “Upon what meat doth Caesar feed That he has grown so great?”