E. Banathy Monologue Preparation Walking and Speaking in a Character’s Shoes

E. Banathy Task Using the play you studied in class, present a monologue where you: assume the role of a character from the play speak about yourself or another character through your comments present an invited reading of that character. Before you commence your monologue, you will need to give a brief statement about your chosen character/s and the context in which you are speaking. Purpose: To analyse the dominant readings of Text and how audiences are positioned to accept this perspective Audience: Theatre goers. Roles & As a speaker you will present to an Relationships: audience of theatre goers an Invited Reading of your text. Length 3 – 4 minutes. important

E. Banathy Character selection What information do you have? What characteristics are apparent? What changes in character can you reveal? How does the character influence the story line? How relevant is the character to the overall discourse? Is there sufficient information for effective insight into the character’s overall role to sustain the length of monologue required?

E. Banathy Character profile Gather material about your character according to the questions on the previous slide, noting in particular the way in which the character develops so that the discourse is strengthened. In addition, look at : What is the author positioning the audience to believe about this character? What judgement about the character is the author positioning the audience to make? What are the flaws/good points which the character himself/herself is aware of? Who is to blame for the predicament the character is in? What social comment is the author making about the character’s faults/good points?

E. Banathy Select the character Create a general profile of events for the character Match the profile of events/incidents with the mood changes of your character Tag these mood signifiers in your text Then ……( next slide) Lady Macbeth Macbeth Macduff Banquo

E. Banathy What does a monologue do? What are its characteristics? Reflective Revelatory Justifies Actions Explores motives Considers significant milestones Assesses relationships

E. Banathy Preparing to write the monologue The character decision has been made so….. NOW Decide on where and when the monologue is to take place- indicate into what Act, Scene, line or section of the novel you would insert the monologue. Think carefully – what does the character not know or know at this point? You must keep to this. Decide on moods/emotions of your character Plan an outline of your monologue – what is your character going to reflect on? Plan the audience positioning of your monologue – what do you want the audience response to be at the end of your monologue ? What emotion do you want to evoke? What quotes/lines do you want to use?

E. Banathy Writing the monologue Starting point- when and where( place) Macbeth: Act 5,5: line 49 e.g. I begin to be weary of the sun – I have been betrayed and I just…. What aspect of the character do you start with? Begin reflection with a weary and disappointed Macbeth who realises the witches have betrayed him Mood / movement to accompany- Moves to look out over the advancing troops

E. Banathy Follow your planned outline Where to from the start? Where do you want to finish? What other emotions and reactions do you want to explore? A concept map will help e.g. Start weary regretful guilt Blames others Finish anger

E. Banathy Follow your planned outline Where will you use lines, phrases from the text? Where will you build in movement? What props will you need? How do you want to ensure audience positioning? Start Show audience I regret my actions by Finish

E. Banathy Presentation Props? Movement decisions Script – know the material- length Stance/facial expression Pacing of reflective speaking/ pace reflects emotion! Volume reflects emotion Eye contact?