monologue etymology

Etymology of "Monologue"

The word "monologue" is derived from the Greek words monos (meaning "single" or "alone") and logos (meaning "speech" or "discourse").

Meaning and Origin of "Monologue"

A monologue is an extended speech delivered by a single character, usually to an unseen or silent audience. It is a dramatic device that allows a character to express their thoughts, feelings, and motivations directly to the audience, without any interruptions or responses from other characters.

Monologues have been used in literature, theater, and film for centuries. They originated in ancient Greek drama, where they were employed to reveal the inner workings of a character's mind and to advance the plot.

Examples of Monologues

  • Hamlet's famous "To be or not to be" monologue in Shakespeare's Hamlet
  • Atticus Finch's closing statement in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird
  • Travis Bickle's "You talkin' to me?" monologue in Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver

Characteristics of a Monologue

  • Soliloquy: A monologue delivered by a character who is alone on stage or screen.
  • Apostrophe: A monologue addressed to an inanimate object or abstract concept.
  • Aside: A monologue delivered by a character directly to the audience, often breaking the fourth wall.
  • Dream Sequence: A monologue delivered by a character who is asleep or dreaming.
  • Inner Monologue: A monologue that represents the unspoken thoughts and feelings of a character.

monologue relate terms

  • soliloquy

    Etymology The word soliloquy comes from the Latin word soliloquium which itself der

  • sole

    Etymology Middle English sole soleowe from Old English sol salo Proto Germanic so

  • monologue

    Etymology of Monologue The word monologue is derived from the Greek words monos mean

  • travelogue

    Etymology Travel via Old French traveillier and Latin trabaliare meaning to work

  • travel

    Etymology The English word travel derives from the Old French word travailler which

  • monologue

    Etymology of Monologue The word monologue is derived from the Greek words monos mean

  • language

    Etymology The term etymology derives from the Greek word etymon meaning true sense

  • speech

    Etymology The word speech derives from the Old English word spræc or spræce whic

  • Logos

    Etymology The word logos comes from the Ancient Greek word λόγος lógos meani

  • essay

    Etymology and Meaning of Essay The word essay originates from the Old French term es

  • illusion

    Etymology The word illusion derives from the Latin word illudere meaning to mock

  • prerogative

    Etymology Middle French prerogative from Latin praerogātīvus from praerogāre t

  • parliament

    Etymology The word parliament comes from the Old French word parlement which is der

  • ambiguous

    Etymology Ambiguous etymology refers to words whose origin and history are uncertain or

  • liberty

    Etymology From Middle English libertee from Old French liberté ultimately from Latin

  • slang

    Etymology of Slang Originated in the 18th century as a shortening of slangwhanger a