E. Banathy

Monologue PreparationMonologue Preparation

Walking and Speaking in a Character’s Shoes

E. Banathy

TaskTaskUsing the play you studied in class, present a monologue where you:• assume the role of a character from the play• speak about yourself or another character• through your comments present an invited reading of that character.Before you commence your monologue, you will need to give a brief

statement about your chosen character/s and the context in which you are speaking.

• Purpose: To analyse the dominant readings of• Text and how audiences are positioned to• accept this perspective • Audience: Theatre goers.• Roles & As a speaker you will present to an • Relationships: audience of theatre goers an Invited • Reading of your text.• Length 3 – 4 minutes.

imp

ortant

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Character selectionCharacter selection• What information do you have?• What characteristics are apparent?• What changes in character can you reveal?• How does the character influence the story

line?• How relevant is the character to the overall

discourse?• Is there sufficient information for effective

insight into the character’s overall role to sustain the length of monologue required?

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Character profileCharacter profile• Gather material about your character according to the

questions on the previous slide, noting in particular the way in which the character develops so that the discourse is strengthened. In addition, look at :

• What is the author positioning the audience to believe about this character?

• What judgement about the character is the author positioning the audience to make?

• What are the flaws/good points which the character himself/herself is aware of?

• Who is to blame for the predicament the character is in?

• What social comment is the author making about the character’s faults/good points?

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Select the characterSelect the character

• Create a general profile of events for the character

• Match the profile of events/incidents with the mood changes of your character

• Tag these mood signifiers in your text

Then ……( next slide)

Lady Macbeth

Macbeth

Macduff

Banquo

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What does a monologue do? What does a monologue do? What are its characteristics?What are its characteristics?

• Reflective• Revelatory• Justifies Actions• Explores motives• Considers significant milestones• Assesses relationships

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Preparing to write the monologuePreparing to write the monologue• The character decision has been made so…..NOW• Decide on where and when the monologue is to

take place- indicate into what Act, Scene, line or section of the novel you would insert the monologue.

• Think carefully – what does the character not know or know at this point? You must keep to this.

• Decide on moods/emotions of your character• Plan an outline of your monologue – what is your character

going to reflect on?• Plan the audience positioning of your monologue – what do

you want the audience response to be at the end of your monologue ? What emotion do you want to evoke? What quotes/lines do you want to use?

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Writing the monologueWriting the monologue

• Starting point- when and where( place)• Macbeth: Act 5,5: line 49 e.g. I begin to be

weary of the sun – I have been betrayed and I just….

• What aspect of the character do you start with? Begin reflection with a weary and disappointed Macbeth who realises the witches have betrayed him

• Mood / movement to accompany- Moves to look out over the advancing troops

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Follow your planned outlineFollow your planned outline• Where to from the start?• Where do you want to finish?• What other emotions and reactions do

you want to explore? A concept map will help e.g.

Startweary regretful

guiltBlames others

Finishanger

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Follow your planned outlineFollow your planned outline• Where will you use lines, phrases from the

text?• Where will you build in movement?• What props will you need?• How do you want to ensure audience

positioning?

StartShow

audience I regret

my actions by

Finish

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PresentationPresentation

• Props?• Movement decisions• Script – know the material- length• Stance/facial expression• Pacing of reflective speaking/ pace reflects

emotion!• Volume reflects emotion• Eye contact?