dramatic monologue

American  

[druh-mat-ik mon-uh-lawg, -log] / drəˈmæt ɪk ˈmɒn əˌlɔg, -ˌlɒg /

noun

1. a poetic form in which a single character, addressing a silent listener at a critical moment, reveals something personal or related to the dramatic situation.

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Etymology

Origin of dramatic monologue

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

In a dramatic monologue also written by Harbaugh, the coach took a direct shot at his former college rival, Ohio State coach Ryan Day.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2024

Even when he dispensed with the dramatic monologue to write in other forms, he frequently turned to art and artists as his subject.

From Washington Post • Apr. 1, 2022

What’s more, he acts them to the hilt, turning “Haircut” into a dramatic monologue with a head-turning reveal and “Uncle Fred Flits By” into a one-disaster-after-another farce from which the only thing missing is pratfalls.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2018

Ms. Hong also sang with expressive fervor in Milton Babbitt’s “Philomel,” a dramatic monologue based on Ovid’s myth of Philomena.

From New York Times • Jun. 12, 2016

“And by the way, what play was your dramatic monologue from, Nate?”

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle