Can a Monologue Be Talking to Someone?
(By Ray Reese)
Monologues are often perceived as the actor’s chance to speak alone, uninterrupted, and reveal their innermost thoughts and feelings. Typically, a monologue is delivered as a solo performance, with the actor addressing the audience or speaking directly to themselves. However, one question that frequently arises is whether a monologue can be delivered while talking to someone. In other words, can a monologue still be considered a monologue if the speaker is addressing another character or person?
The answer is yes, a monologue can absolutely involve talking to someone, but with certain nuances and distinctions that set it apart from other forms of dialogue. Understanding this dynamic is essential for actors, playwrights, and directors who are working with monologues. In this article, we will explore the concept of a monologue, examine situations where it involves speaking to another character, and provide examples from classic and contemporary works to illustrate how these interactions can be effective.
What Is a Monologue?
Before diving into the specifics of monologues that involve talking to someone, let’s first define what a monologue is. A monologue is typically a speech or extended dialogue delivered by a single character. It can be directed at an audience, a fellow character, or even an internal audience (such as the character’s own thoughts). The key characteristics of a monologue include:
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Length: A monologue tends to be longer than a simple line of dialogue and can run from a few sentences to several minutes long.
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Solitary Speaker: While a monologue may be spoken aloud in the presence of others, it is delivered by a single character. Even if another character is present, the monologue is defined by the fact that one character is dominating the speech.
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Revealing the Inner World: Monologues often serve to reveal a character’s thoughts, feelings, or motivations, either through introspection or direct expression. This is one of the primary ways in which a monologue differs from other forms of dialogue.
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Not Interrupted: While a monologue may involve someone listening, it is not typically interrupted by responses or contributions from other characters. It gives the speaker the floor to express themselves fully.
Talking to Someone: The Case for Dramatic Interaction
When an actor performs a monologue while speaking to another character, the situation becomes more complex. The presence of another person can alter the nature of the monologue and its function within the scene. In these cases, the monologue may still fit the broad definition of a monologue, but it may also take on qualities of a dialogue, soliloquy, or aside depending on the specific context and the relationship between the characters.
However, the core of the monologue remains intact: one character is speaking at length or delivering a speech without interruption. The difference here is that the recipient of the speech is often a fellow character who listens, reacts, or even influences the speaker’s emotions, but does not actively engage in a full exchange of dialogue.
Monologues in Conversation: Examples from Theatre and Film
Let’s take a closer look at some examples of monologues that involve speaking to someone else, and examine how this dynamic plays out in various contexts.
1. The Classical Soliloquy: “Hamlet” (William Shakespeare)
One of the most iconic monologues in the world of theatre is Hamlet’s famous soliloquy, “To be or not to be,” in which he wrestles with the concepts of life and death. While this speech is often performed as a solo monologue, it is worth noting that Hamlet does, in fact, deliver his speech in the presence of other characters. In Act 3, Scene 1, Hamlet speaks the soliloquy while contemplating suicide in front of a group, including Ophelia, Polonius, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
In this case, Hamlet is still delivering a monologue because he speaks at length without being interrupted. Even though other characters are present, he is not speaking directly to them; instead, his soliloquy is a reflection of his internal turmoil. However, the presence of other characters adds an interesting layer, as their reactions—or lack thereof—serve as an audience of sorts for Hamlet’s private thoughts.
This example demonstrates that monologues can certainly exist in a context where another character is physically present, but the speaker is still delivering a monologue to their own thoughts or to the audience, not to the other person.
2. The Confessional: “A Streetcar Named Desire” (Tennessee Williams)
In Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire, the character Blanche DuBois delivers several poignant monologues. One of the most notable occurs when Blanche confesses her tragic past to Mitch, who is her romantic interest. In this scene, Blanche talks at length about her first marriage, the death of her husband, and the subsequent emotional turmoil she experienced. Here, Blanche is speaking to Mitch, but her words are more than just a conversation. She uses the monologue to confess her inner world and reveal aspects of her character that she has hidden from others.
Although Mitch is physically present and listens to her confession, the scene still functions as a monologue because Blanche dominates the speech. Mitch’s role is largely passive—he listens and reacts, but he does not interrupt or offer much of his own dialogue. In this context, the monologue serves to allow the character to unburden herself, and the interaction with Mitch creates a dramatic moment of vulnerability and exposure. Blanche’s monologue reveals her past, her shame, and her fragile mental state, and this would not have been as effective if it were delivered in a more traditional dialogue form.
3. The Argument: “Glengarry Glen Ross” (David Mamet)
David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross is filled with fast-paced dialogue, but one of the most famous moments comes when Alec Baldwin’s character, Blake, delivers a ruthless monologue to a group of salesmen. He addresses the men, berating them and motivating them through fear and aggression. The entire speech is delivered to the group, yet it is still considered a monologue because Blake is not engaging in a dialogue with the other characters. Rather, he is delivering his own thoughts and perspective in a way that dominates the scene.
Blake’s monologue serves as a motivational speech that reveals his character’s cold, transactional approach to business. He does not allow for interruptions or counterarguments, and even though he is addressing a group, the speech is designed to serve his agenda, not to open up a conversation. The effect is a dramatic, high-energy moment that underscores the power imbalance between Blake and the other characters. In this case, the monologue is more of a rant or diatribe, directed at others but still maintaining the characteristics of a monologue.
4. The Heart-to-Heart: “The Pursuit of Happyness” (Film)
In the movie The Pursuit of Happyness, the character Chris Gardner (played by Will Smith) has a powerful moment in which he shares his struggles and dreams with his son, Christopher. This scene, though seemingly a dialogue between a father and his child, has monologue-like qualities because Chris uses the opportunity to express his hopes, fears, and motivations. While his son listens, the speech is not about seeking feedback or starting a conversation—it is a moment of emotional release, a father’s heartfelt declaration of his desire to give his son a better life.
The monologue in this case is directed at another person, but it still functions as a monologue because it is not an exchange of ideas or perspectives. Instead, it’s a single, lengthy expression of Chris’s personal thoughts and emotions. This heart-to-heart moment becomes a way for the character to give voice to his internal struggles while connecting with his son in a way that is deeply moving and vulnerable.
Why Do Monologues Involving Someone Else Work?
Monologues that involve speaking to someone else can be incredibly powerful. They often serve to deepen the emotional stakes of a scene, create tension, or reveal key character traits. When one character speaks at length to another, the speech can function in several ways:
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Character Development: A monologue delivered to another character allows the audience to learn more about the speaker’s motivations, struggles, and desires in a focused and intense way.
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Emotional Impact: The act of addressing someone else can amplify the emotional impact of a monologue. It creates a sense of connection between the speaker and the listener, even if the listener doesn’t respond directly.
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Tension: Monologues directed at another character can build tension, especially if the speaker’s words are confrontational, revealing, or emotionally charged.
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Vulnerability: Speaking to someone can also highlight the vulnerability of the character, especially if they are confessing or revealing something personal. This can create a more intimate, compelling performance.
Conclusion
A monologue can absolutely involve talking to someone, but the key distinction remains that the speech is delivered by one character without interruption. Whether the character is speaking to another person, to themselves, or to an unseen audience, the essence of a monologue lies in the solo performance and the emotional depth it conveys. The examples from both classic and contemporary works show that even when another character is present, the function of a monologue remains intact, revealing deeper layers of the character’s thoughts and emotions. Monologues can be powerful tools for storytelling, whether spoken alone or in the presence of another person, and can help create deeply resonant moments on stage or screen.
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