Thoughts aloud can be expressed in various ways, such as internal monologues or asides, where a character speaks their thoughts directly to the audience. This allows for a more direct and intimate connection between the character and the audience, creating a sense of empathy and understanding.
Thoughts aloud can also be used to create dramatic irony, where the audience is aware of the character's inner thoughts and feelings, while other characters on stage are not. This can create tension and suspense, as the audience anticipates how these inner thoughts will affect the character's actions and interactions with others.
The use of thoughts aloud can also enhance the characterisation and development of a drama, as it allows the audience to understand the inner workings of the characters, their conflicts and struggles, and their motivations for their actions.
Some examples of thoughts aloud in drama include:
* Hamlet's soliloquies in Shakespeare's Hamlet, where the audience gains insight into his inner doubts, fears, and desires.
* The asides in Molière's The Misanthrope, where the audience is privy to the protagonist's thoughts and opinions on the other characters and events.
* The stream of consciousness narration in Eugene O'Neill's Strange Interlude, which reveals the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters.
In summary, thoughts aloud in drama are a theatrical technique used to reveal a character's inner thoughts and feelings to the audience, enhancing characterisation, creating dramatic tension, and fostering a sense of intimacy and understanding between the characters and the audience.