Soliloquy and Aside – A Note
Soliloquy
·
Definition: A soliloquy is a
dramatic device in which a character speaks his/her thoughts aloud, usually
alone on stage, to let the audience know his/her inner feelings, motives, or
plans.
·
Function:
o
Reveals psychological depth.
o
Allows the audience privileged access to a
character’s mind.
o
Moves the plot forward without other characters
overhearing.
·
Examples:
o Shakespeare:
Hamlet’s “To be, or not to be” (Hamlet, Act III, Scene I) is perhaps the most
famous soliloquy in literature, exploring life, death, and moral hesitation.
o Macbeth’s
“Is this a dagger which I see before me” (Macbeth, Act II, Scene I) reveals his
internal struggle before killing Duncan.
·
Difference from Monologue:
o
Monologue: Addressed to other
characters.
o
Soliloquy: Addressed to self
(and indirectly to the audience).
Aside
·
Definition: An aside is a brief
remark by a character directly to the audience (or sometimes to another
character) that others on stage are not meant to hear.
·
Function:
o
Provides commentary, humor, or secret insight.
o
Often used for irony or to reveal hidden
intentions.
·
Examples:
o
In Shakespeare’s Othello,
Iago frequently speaks asides to reveal his schemes to the audience.
o
In The Tempest,
Prospero uses asides to comment on events without other characters’ awareness.
Key Differences
|
Feature |
Soliloquy |
Aside |
|
Length |
Extended speech |
Short comment or phrase |
|
Audience |
Audience only |
Audience (and sometimes a single character) |
|
Purpose |
Reveal deep inner thoughts |
Give quick insight, irony, or secret info |
|
Stage Presence |
Character usually alone |
Other characters present but do not hear |
MCQs on Soliloquy & Aside (UGC NET Style)
1. Which
of the following is not true of a
soliloquy?
A. It reveals the innermost thoughts of a character.
B. It is always delivered in the presence of other characters who react to it.
C. It is addressed directly to the audience.
D. It is often used to advance the plot.
Answer: B
2. Identify
the soliloquy from the options below:
A. “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears…” (Julius
Caesar)
B. “Is this a dagger which I see before me…” (Macbeth)
C. “Et tu, Brute?” (Julius Caesar)
D. “A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!” (Richard III)
Answer: B
3. In
which of the following plays does Iago frequently use asides?
A. King Lear
B. Hamlet
C. Othello
D. Macbeth
Answer: C
4. An
aside is generally:
A. A speech addressed to another character.
B. A song performed for comic relief.
C. A brief remark unheard by other characters.
D. A poetic digression in the plot.
Answer: C
5. Which
of the following statements is correct?
A. A soliloquy is always shorter than an aside.
B. An aside may be directed to the audience or a character, but is unheard by
others on stage.
C. A soliloquy requires another character to be present.
D. Asides are always written in prose.
Answer: B
Previous Year Questions (PYQs – UGC NET)
PYQ 1 (UGC NET, 2014)
Which dramatic device allows a character to express thoughts aloud while alone
on stage?
A. Monologue
B. Dialogue
C. Soliloquy
D. Aside
Answer: C
PYQ 2 (UGC NET, 2016)
When a character speaks to the audience in a short comment that others on stage
cannot hear, it is called:
A. Monologue
B. Soliloquy
C. Aside
D. Apostrophe
Answer: C
PYQ 3 (UGC NET, 2019)
Which of the following is a primary function of the soliloquy in Shakespeare’s
plays?
A. Provide comic relief.
B. Reveal the inner workings of a character’s mind.
C. Address another character’s query.
D. Deliver a moral lesson.
Answer: B
PYQ 4 (UGC NET, 2021)
Match the dramatic devices with their correct descriptions:
|
Device |
Description |
|
a) Aside |
i)
Extended speech revealing inner thoughts while alone on stage |
|
b) Soliloquy |
ii) Brief
remark to audience unheard by other characters |
Options:
A. a-i, b-ii
B. a-ii, b-i
C. a-i, b-i
D. a-ii, b-ii
Answer: B
