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.

---

Etymology

Origin of dramatic monologue

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dramatic monologue

Perhaps that should change: Ai is among the pre-eminent practitioners of the dramatic monologue — a persona-driven mode of poetic address exemplified in the work of Victorian poet Robert Browning.

From New York Times ● Mar. 7, 2023

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

A nonpareil impressionist, Smith over the years has perfected a formula that combines journalism, activism and dramatic monologue.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 11, 2018

Brian Tyree Henry can trace his call to acting back to his senior year in high school when he was performing a dramatic monologue in a play staged for his fellow classmates serving detention.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2017

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

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle