Here is a table summarizing the key differences between soliloquies and monologues:
| Feature | Soliloquy | Monologue |
|---|---|---|
| Addressed to | No one | Other characters |
| Purpose | Reveal inner thoughts and feelings, advance plot | Advance plot, provide information, create atmosphere |
| Example | "To be or not to be, that is the question" (Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1) | "The quality of mercy is not strained" (The Merchant of Venice, Act 4, Scene 1) |
Soliloquies and monologues are both important dramatic devices that can be used to create powerful and memorable scenes in plays.