BBL 3207 Language in Literature

Trisem 8/2010 (Exec)

SECTION B

Question 3

With reference to Hamlet’s soliloquy (or any other that you know), comment on the role of
soliloquy in Shakespeare’s plays.

This essay talks about the use of soliloquies in Shakespeare’s plays with regards to the

different roles of soliloquy in plays and the effects that have been created among the audiences.

Shakespeare’s plays are notable for their use of soliloquy, in which a character makes speech to

him or herself so that the audiences can understand the characters’ inner motivations and

conflict. A soliloquy is a device often used in drama whereby a character relates his o her

thoughts and feelings without addressing any of the characters. It is presented by only one

character who talks alone without the impression that other characters not hearing it. But in real

situation, the character talks loud enough that for the audiences to hear and this could make the

audiences understand and enjoy the play better. Soliloquies can be said to be similar to a

monologue. Soliloquies were frequently used in poetic drama. Dramas in prose tend to use a

more realistic speaking style and rarely if ever feature them. The plays of William Shakespeare

feature many soliloquies. The “To be or not to be” speech from Hamlet is probably the most

famous one in English literature and drama to the date. Another famous soliloquy from one of

William Shakespeare’s play was from Othello by the antagonist character, Iago. Where in

Othello, William Shakespeare portrayed Iago as the only one who have the soliloquies

throughout the drama.

William Shakespeare’s Othello is a great example of how much a soliloquy becomes vital

element in a play or drama. There are total of seven (7) soliloquies in Othello with each one

carries a different thoughts in mind among characters in it. The first soliloquy in Othello is done

1
Prepared by: R.Sudheep (B10127) BA English
 BBL 3207 Language in Literature
Trisem 8/2010 (Exec)

by Iago, the antagonist of the play that can be observed in Act one – Scene one. This soliloquy

are inserted early in that play in order to reveal the intention if the antagonist. For this soliloquy,

audience can keep up track on whatever that Iago does will be based on his soliloquy. The

second soliloquy by Iago, can be seen in Act one – Scene three. Where this time it explains the

feeling of vengeance and grudge of Iago towards Othello, as the protagonist of the drama. In this

soliloquy the audiences are exposed to Iago’s planning to topple Othello by using another

character, Cassio. These soliloquies in this drama are told only by one character, which is Iago.

The reason for letting only one character’s soliloquy is to make the flow if story clear. It will be a

confusing drama if there are more than one characters’ soliloquies are presented. William

Shakespeare aware of this and avoid in all his plays. These soliloquies also tell the private or

personal feeling of the character about other character which is not played presented during the

play. This creates the bond of understanding between the audiences and the characters who is

presenting soliloquies. This would be the prominent reason or purpose of having soliloquies in

all William Shakespeare plays and dramas.

All the soliloquy in William Shakespeare plays doesn’t popped up to be awkward to the

scene or irrelevant to the drama or playa itself. It definitely hinders the flow of the narration of

the drama. We wouldn’t know the inner life of a character, motives and reason of the characters

if there wasn’t for soliloquy. Whether the soliloquy is realistic to the contemporary audiences or

audiences back then depends on the relevance of it to the scene or drama. The view on

importance towards the use of soliloquy also plays a quite important part to determine whether it

is relevant or not.

2
Prepared by: R.Sudheep (B10127) BA English
 BBL 3207 Language in Literature
Trisem 8/2010 (Exec)

As in conclusion, the use of soliloquy and the role of soliloquy in a play is the back bone

to the play itself because it explains the part of the plot or the characters thinking in a play. This

will help majorly for the understanding of the play better by the audiences.

3
Prepared by: R.Sudheep (B10127) BA English