An act of speaking one’s thought aloud by oneself, regardless of any hearer, in a play is known as____________

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the term describing a character speaking their thoughts aloud, alone, without addressing any listener, in a play.

Step 2: Explain the concept A soliloquy is a dramatic device where a character, usually alone on stage, speaks their inner thoughts aloud. It lets the audience know what the character is thinking and feeling. The word comes from Latin solus (alone) + loqui (to speak).

A famous example is Hamlet's "To be, or not to be..." speech in Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Metaphor: a figure of speech that compares two things directly without using "like" or "as" (e.g., "He is a lion"). Not correct.
• B. Fable: a short story, often with animals as characters, that teaches a moral lesson. Not correct.
• C. Comedy: a type of play with a humorous tone and usually a happy ending. Not correct.
• D. Soliloquy: a character speaking their thoughts aloud, alone, regardless of any hearer. Correct.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is **D.

Exam tip: Don't confuse a soliloquy with a monologue or an aside.

• Soliloquy: a character alone, speaking thoughts aloud.
• Aside: a short remark to the audience, which other characters on stage are supposed not to hear.
• Monologue: a long speech to other characters.

Remember: SOLO in SOLO-quy means one person speaking alone.