A monologue is a long speech by one actor in a play or film, or by one person in a literary work, delivered to other characters or to the audience. It can reveal a character's thoughts, advance the plot, or create dramatic effect.

Monologues differ from soliloquies in that they are usually addressed to other characters, while soliloquies are spoken when the character is alone. Famous monologues include Hamlet's "To be or not to be" and Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking scene.

Key points

• Long speech by one character
• Addressed to others or the audience
• Reveals thoughts and advances plot
• Distinct from soliloquy