*Lecturette+(Speech+Types)

= Romeo and Juliet = = Lecturette = __Lecturette__ : Main types of speeches found in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

__Lesson Objectives__ : · Better understand the three main types of speeches in Romeo and Juliet · Identify each of these types of speeches throughout the play

As you read Romeo and Juliet, you must keep in mind that this is a play meant to be performed live on stage. In order to convey a character’s thoughts and feelings, Shakespeare uses three types of speeches; **Aside, Soliloquy, and Monologue/Dramatic Monologue.** Understanding the differences between the three and how Shakespeare uses them will give you better understanding of the dialogue and scene setting of the play.

First, the **aside**. An aside is a speech, short in length, in which one character expresses his/her thoughts out loud to the audience. There are other characters on stage, but they “pretend” not to hear. At times during the play, one character may be speaking to another while others are around them. Again, only the other character is meant to hear what is said, not the others around them. In Act 4 Scene 1 Paris is urging the Friar to marry him to Juliet soon. Friar says, in an aside, “I would I knew not why it should be slowed.—“ The audience was meant to hear the Friar, clearly Paris was not.

Second, the **soliloquy**. This is similar to the aside, except that, generally, a character is speaking alone on stage. He or she is not speaking to other characters, and may not even be consciously “aware” that the audience is listening. In Act 2 Scene 3, the Friar gives a long soliloquy.

Last, the **monologue**. Sometimes referred to as the dramatic monologue, this type of speech occurs when a character is speaking passionately and with intensity to a silent character or group of characters. The effect for the audience is as if they are listening to one side of a conversation. In Act 1 Scene 4, Mercutio gives a dramatic monologue often referred to as “The Queen Mab” speech.

Now it’s your turn: Using what you now know about these three types of speeches, find an example of each one in //Romeo and Juliet//.

 Audio Version of Lecturette
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