1. Narrative and Dramatic Poetry: monologue The Open Poetry Unit OpenEducation.ws

3. In live theater a monologue is a speech by one character that reveals a character's inner thoughts or motivations.

4. Shakespeare's plays contain some of the most famous monologues.

6. And all the men and women merely players;

7. They have their exits and their entrances;

8. And one man in his time plays many parts,

9. His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,

10. Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms;

11. And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel

12. And shining morning face, creeping like snail

13. Unwillingly to school. And then the lover, ...

15. Monologues are often characters that are “thinking aloud.”

16. Shakespeare used them to let characters help explain complex stories to the audience. This speech is given to a girl in the woods.

18. On the dank and dirty ground.

19. Pretty soul! she durst not lie

20. Near this lack-love, this kill-courtesy.

21. Churl, upon thy eyes I throw

22. All the power this charm doth owe.

23. When thou wakest, let love forbid

24. Sleep his seat on thy eyelid:

25. So awake when I am gone;

26. For I must now to Oberon.