Literature Glossary

Don’t be an oxymoron. Know your literary terms.

Over 200 literary terms, Shmooped to perfection.

Monologue

Definition:

Famous from late-night talk shows, a monologue is when a single speaker goes on and on and on, speaking to the other characters on stage, the audience, whomever. It's a dramatic speech that gives us access to the character's thoughts—or at least the ones they're willing to reveal to us.