Guide on Crafting a Monologue for a Play

Crafting dramatic monologues presents a challenge as they must deliver character depth and advance the plot without overwhelming the audience or causing boredom. An effective dramatic monologue should delve into the inner thoughts of a character while injecting emotion or suspense into the play. Whether to enrich character development or heighten the tension of the overall play, structuring the monologue is essential for its success.

Determining the viewpoint of the monologue is crucial. It should reflect the perspective of a single character within the play, providing a focused and distinctive character voice.

Determine the objective of the monologue. Consider the purpose of the monologue within the context of the play. It should unveil information to the audience that cannot be conveyed through dialogue or character interactions. This may involve sharing a narrative, a hidden truth, addressing ongoing inquiries in the play, or serving as an emotional outlet for a character. Your monologue should have a distinct purpose and serve as a revelation for the speaker.

Select the audience for the monologue. Determine who the speaker will be addressing in the monologue to frame it effectively for the audience. The monologue may target a specific character in the play, the speaker themselves, or the audience directly.

Explore the structure of the monologue. A well-crafted monologue should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Similar to a short story, the monologue should undergo a noticeable transition from start to finish, where the speaker experiences a revelation or realization. Your monologue should commence and conclude with a purpose.

Study other monologues. Gain insight into monologue structure by examining monologues from other plays. These monologues are designed to complement the overarching play while also standing as individual dramatic pieces. Examples include:

• The Duchess of Berwick’s monologue in Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan.
• Jean’s monologue in August Strindberg’s Miss Julie.
• Christy’s monologue in John Millington Synge’s The Playboy of the Western World.
• “My Princesa” monologue by Antonia Rodriguez.

Ensure a conclusive ending. Conclude the monologue with a decisive statement or action, bringing the speaker's thoughts to a resolution. This could involve acceptance, overcoming obstacles, or making a pivotal decision. The conclusion should leave a lasting impact, providing closure to the monologue's narrative.

• For instance, in his monologue, Jean discloses his suicide attempt due to his perceived class disparity with Miss Julie. He then reflects on his feelings for her, offering a definitive conclusion.

Trim the monologue to its essence. A successful monologue is concise and focused, moving the narrative forward efficiently. Review the text to eliminate verbosity and redundancy.

• Remove extraneous phrases and streamline the character's dialogue, retaining only essential details.

Practice reading the monologue aloud. Monologues are meant to be performed, so assess their effectiveness by vocalizing them. Ensure the dialogue reflects the character's voice and resonates with the audience.

• Identify any confusing or verbose sections and simplify them for clarity.

Enlist an actor for a live performance. If possible, collaborate with an actor to bring the monologue to life. Whether through a friend or a professional, having the monologue performed can enhance its impact and aid in refining it for the stage.