One of the essential assignments for the academic year is the Shakespeare monologue/soliloquy oration. You will select a monologue or soliloquy from Romeo and Juliet to recite in front of the class. The selected verse must be a minimum of fifteen lines.
A monologue is a long speech delivered from one actor when he or she is alone on stage.
A soliloquy is an act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud in a formal speech.
After you select your speech, you will begin to memorize and thoroughly explore your piece in order to understand how your selection ties into the scene, the act, and the play as a whole. Together, we will develop your dramatic abilities until the final performance.
Step 1: (Day 15) Select your monologue or soliloquy. You will need three copies of the selected monologue/soliloquy, one for the instructor, another for the on-book reader and the third copy is for you to mark on and rehearse from. The on-book reader is the person who will help, if necessary to cue you if you struggle with a part during your recitation. Use this website for selection ideas: Ideas for http://www.shakespeare-monologues.org/plays/35?g=2
Step 2: (Day 15) Justification
15 typed, complete sentences on why you selected your monologue or soliloquy. Include a brief discussion of the character, what has happened in the play at that point, why this speech appealed to you, and what you hope to learn by studying this piece.
Step 3: (Day 20-21) Performing the Recitation The recitation is valued as a performance grade. You should begin by indicating the selected piece as well as the act and scene which the monologue/soliloquy appears in. For every word that you miss or add you will be deducted one point from your assessment grade. If you skip a line you will likewise be deducted five points. Dramatic emphasis, dressing in the role of the speaker and sustained accents will positively influence your assessment. Yes, this is a challenging assignment! You must rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.
