A soliloquy is a literary device in which a character speaks their thoughts aloud to themselves. Soliloquies are often used in drama to reveal a character's inner thoughts and motivations to the audience.

Here are some key features of a soliloquy:

• Spoken by a single character: A soliloquy is delivered by a single character, usually when they are alone on stage.
• Directed to oneself: The character is speaking to themselves, not to another character or the audience.
• Reveals inner thoughts: Soliloquies are used to reveal the character's inner thoughts, feelings, and motivations.
• Can be dramatic or humorous: Soliloquies can be used to create dramatic tension, provide comic relief, or both.

Here are some examples of soliloquies in literature:

• Hamlet's "To be or not to be" soliloquy in Shakespeare's Hamlet is perhaps the most famous soliloquy in all of literature. In this soliloquy, Hamlet contemplates suicide as he struggles with his own inner turmoil.
• Prospero's "Our revels now are ended" soliloquy in Shakespeare's The Tempest is another famous example of a soliloquy. In this soliloquy, Prospero renounces his magic and prepares to return to his life as the Duke of Milan.
• Blanche DuBois' "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers" soliloquy in Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire is a powerful example of a soliloquy that reveals a character's inner vulnerability.
• Willy Loman's "I am not a dime a dozen!" soliloquy in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman is a tragic example of a soliloquy that reveals a character's downfall.

Soliloquies are a powerful literary device that can be used to create a variety of effects. They can be used to reveal a character's inner thoughts and motivations, create dramatic tension, provide comic relief, and explore complex themes.