Soliloquy

Noun

Definition: An act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play.

Synonyms: Monologue, Speech, Self-dialogue

Antonyms: Dialogue, Conversation, Interaction

Examples:

In Shakespeare's play Hamlet, the character Hamlet delivers a famous soliloquy that begins with the words "To be or not to be."
The soliloquy revealed the character's true emotions and inner thoughts to the audience.

Mnemonics:

Think of "solo" in soliloquy, indicating speaking alone.
Imagine an actor on stage, alone, speaking their thoughts directly to the audience.

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "soliloquy" comes from the Late Latin word "soliloquium," which is a combination of the Latin word "solus" (alone) and "loqui" (to speak).

Historical Usage:

Soliloquies have been a prominent feature of drama since ancient times, particularly in plays written by the likes of William Shakespeare. They are used to reveal a character's inner thoughts, motivations, and conflicts.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"To be or not to be" soliloquy

Explanation:

This refers to the famous soliloquy from Shakespeare's play Hamlet, where the character Hamlet contemplates the existential question of life and death.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing soliloquy with dialogue.

Explanation:

A soliloquy is a form of self-expression when a character speaks their thoughts aloud, whereas dialogue involves a conversation between two or more characters.