Searching for highly effective and emotionally charged dramatic monologues to captivate your viewers? Whether or not you’re an actor making ready for an audition or a drama fanatic exploring the depths of theatrical expression, our curated listing of “22 Dramatic Monologues from Theater and Movie” presents a various assortment of performances that spotlight the complexity of human feelings. From basic performs to up to date movies, these monologues present a wealthy tapestry of characters and narratives that can encourage, problem, and transfer you.
1. “Metal Magnolias” by Robert Harling
Character: M’Lynn
Abstract: M’Lynn talks in regards to the final moments along with her daughter Shelby, expressing her deep sorrow and the power she present in that painful expertise.
Monologue: “No. I couldn’t depart my Shelby. I simply sat there and stored pushin’ the best way I all the time have the place Shelby was involved…hoping she’d sit up and argue with me. Lastly, all of us realized there was no hope. At that time, I panicked. I used to be afraid that I wouldn’t survive the subsequent jiffy whereas they turned off the machines. Drum couldn’t take it. He left. Jackson couldn’t take it. He left. However I couldn’t depart. I simply sat there, holding Shelby’s hand whereas the sounds bought softer and the beeps bought farther aside till all was quiet. There was no noise, no tremble, simply peace. I noticed as a girl how fortunate I used to be. I used to be there when this excellent individual drifted into my life and I used to be there when she drifted out.”
For the complete monologue, go to Scribd and WhySanity.
2. “V for Vendetta” by the Wachowskis
Character: Valerie
Abstract: Valerie’s monologue is a poignant recount of her life and love earlier than and in the course of the oppressive regime, emphasizing the significance of preserving one’s integrity.
Monologue: “I do know there’s no approach I can persuade you this isn’t one in every of their tips. However I don’t care. I’m me. My title is Valerie. I don’t suppose I’ll stay for much longer, and I wished to inform somebody about my life. That is the one autobiography that I’ll ever write, and God, I’m writing it on bathroom paper. I used to be born in Nottingham in 1985. I don’t bear in mind a lot of these early years, however I do bear in mind the rain. My grandmother owned a farm in Tottlebrook, and she or he used to inform me that God was within the rain. I handed my eleven-plus and went to woman’s grammar. It was in school that I met my first girlfriend. Her title was Sarah. It was her wrists; they have been lovely. I assumed we might love one another without end. I bear in mind our instructor telling us that it was an adolescent part that folks outgrew. Sarah did. I didn’t. In 2002, I fell in love with a lady named Christina. That 12 months I got here out to my mother and father. I couldn’t have executed it with out Chris holding my hand. My father wouldn’t take a look at me; he informed me to go and by no means come again. My mom mentioned nothing. I’d solely informed them the reality. Was that so egocentric? Our integrity sells for therefore little, however it’s all we actually have. It’s the final inch of us, however inside that inch we’re free. An inch, it’s small and it’s fragile, and it’s the solely factor on the planet value having. We must not ever lose it or give it away. We must not ever allow them to take it from us. I hope that, whoever you might be, you escape this place. I hope that the world turns and that issues get higher. However what I hope most of all is that you just perceive what I imply once I inform you that though I have no idea you, and though I’ll by no means meet you, snort with you, cry with you, or kiss you, I really like you. With all my coronary heart, I really like you.”
For the complete monologue, go to WhySanity and HubPages.
3. “Danny and the Deep Blue Sea” by John Patrick Shanley
Character: Roberta
Abstract: Roberta reveals her traumatic previous and emotional struggles, making it a robust exploration of a deeply troubled character.
Monologue: “And I dreamed in regards to the ocean. It was actual blue. And there was the solar, and it was actual yellow. And I used to be on the market, proper in the course of the ocean, all on my own, and I might hear the water, simply the best way it sounds in a conch shell. And I assumed, perhaps that is what it’s prefer to be lifeless. However I used to be nonetheless myself, you recognize? After which I regarded down, and I couldn’t see the underside of the ocean. It was like a mile down. And I bought actually scared as a result of I knew I couldn’t swim a mile. So I attempted to get again to shore. But it surely was so distant. And the water bought into my nostril and my mouth, and it was so chilly. And I assumed, that is it. That is the top of the whole lot. After which, abruptly, I felt this hand on my again. And I rotated, and there was this man standing on the water, smiling at me. And I knew he was gonna save me.”
For the complete monologue, go to WeAreActors.
4. Biff Monologue from “Demise of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller
Monologue: “Pop! I’m a dime a dozen, and so are you! … I’m not a pacesetter of males, Willy, and neither are you. You have been by no means something however a hard-working drummer who landed within the ash can like all the remainder of them! I’m one greenback an hour, Willy! I attempted seven states and couldn’t increase it. A buck an hour! Do you collect my which means? I’m not bringing house any prizes anymore, and also you’re going to cease ready for me to deliver them house! … I’m nothing! I’m nothing, Pop. Can’t you perceive that? There’s no spite in it anymore. I’m simply what I’m, that’s all.”
For the complete monologue, you possibly can confer with the next web page:
5. “Ben Is Again” by Peter Hedges
Character: Ben
Abstract: Ben admits his function in a good friend’s demise because of an overdose, showcasing his guilt and the pressure in his relationship together with his mom.
Monologue Snippet: “Mother, I can’t stay with this guilt anymore. Each time I shut my eyes, I see his face. I used to be the one who gave him the medication. I assumed it was only for enjoyable, however it turned out to be deadly. I’m so sorry, Mother. I would like you to grasp that I’m not the identical individual anymore. I can’t preserve pretending that the whole lot is okay when it’s not. Please, forgive me.”
For the complete monologue, confer with Peter Hedges Delivers Ben is Again .
6. “Foyer Hero” by Kenneth Lonergan
Character: William
Abstract: William’s monologue explores his ethical dilemma of defending his brother versus telling the reality to the police.
Monologue Snippet: “Jeff, you don’t perceive. If I inform the reality, my brother goes to jail. But when I lie, I change into part of this corrupt system. How do I select between my household and my integrity? It’s tearing me aside inside. Each night time I lie awake, questioning if I’m doing the best factor. How will you shield somebody you’re keen on with out shedding your self within the course of?”
For the complete monologue, confer with Foyer Hero by Kenneth Lonergan .
7. “Brooklyn Boy” by Donald Margulies
Character: Eric
Abstract: Eric displays on his father’s dedication to his work, which he by no means understood, revealing a sophisticated father-son relationship.
Monologue Snippet: “My father bought sneakers. In a Buster Brown retailer on Sheepshead Bay Street. He wasn’t a accomplice, he was an worker. For thirty-nine years. He gave his life to that retailer. It wasn’t even his to revenue from, but he nonetheless gave the whole lot to that goddamn retailer. I might by no means perceive what was so engaging about that place, why he selected to spend a lot of his days there and never at house. I bear in mind watching him intently within the morning, attempting to uncover the thriller of manhood, the rituals of labor.”
For the complete monologue, confer with Brooklyn Boy by Donald Margulies .
8. “Of The Fields, Currently” by David French
Character: Ben
Abstract: Ben remembers the disgrace and embarrassment he felt in direction of his father throughout a baseball sport in his youth.
Monologue Snippet: “He rushed out the door and all the way down to the school-yard, the primary sport he had ever come to, and my mom put his supper within the oven, for later … I hadn’t reminded my father of the sport. I used to be afraid he’d present up and embarrass me. Twelve years outdated and ashamed of my outdated man. Ashamed of his dialect, his soiled overalls, his bruised fingers with the fingernails lined with grime, his tooth yellow as outdated ivory. Most of all, his lunch pail, that image of the working man.”
For the complete monologue, further context might be present in dramatic literature anthologies or libraries.
9. “Basilica” by Mando Alvarado
Character: Joe
Abstract: Joe expresses his deep sense of failure and seeks understanding from his liked one.
Monologue Snippet: “Ah babe, I’m not doing so good. I simply really feel so … I want I might inform you that I bought the power. However, you recognize I might be bullshitting. You all the time had a approach of seeing by way of me. I do know. Like that point, I got here house. You place me on that silly Weight Watcher’s Weight-reduction plan. Small parts, no quick meals. I used to be nonetheless the identical waist dimension since highschool. So I got here house. You knew I had a Whataburger. However I mentioned, ‘No babe, I had a salad and a type of meals.’”
For the complete monologue, confer with dramatic literature anthologies or on-line script libraries.
Dive into these dramatic monologues and uncover the essence of storytelling that transcends the stage and display. Each bit not solely showcases the actor’s expertise but additionally brings to life the intricate layers of the characters they painting. Discover, observe, and ideal these monologues to reinforce your efficiency expertise and depart a long-lasting impression in your viewers.
10. “The Rookie Cop” by Adam J. Wahlberg
Character: Veteran Cop
Abstract: A seasoned cop educates his rookie accomplice, resulting in a big revelation.
Monologue Snippet: “I’m John. A veteran cop who doesn’t imagine in being mushy on rookies. I’ve seen all of it. The crimes, the victims, the damaged system. You, child, you suppose you recognize what you’re entering into, however you don’t. There’s a darkness on this job that you just received’t discover within the academy textbooks. Each name we take, each arrest we make, it modifications you. You begin questioning your morals, your sense of justice. However right here’s the factor, child, for those who can maintain onto that small a part of your self that believes in doing proper, you’ll survive. Barely, however you’ll survive.”
For the complete monologue, you possibly can confer with Reddit.
11. “Spoon River Anthology” by Edgar Lee Masters
Character: Tom Merritt
Abstract: Tom recounts the occasions resulting in his homicide from past the grave.
Monologue Snippet: “I used to be the happiest soul that ever lived, till sooner or later, my spouse’s lover took my life. I stood there, unaware, after which I felt the chilly metal. It was fast, however in that second, I considered the whole lot I liked and misplaced. From the grave, I now see how my demise was simply one other story within the lengthy line of tales that make up Spoon River. My finish, a tragic music amidst the refrain of the city’s tales, without end echoing within the silence of the cemetery.”
For the complete monologue, confer with Venture Gutenberg and Full Textual content Archive.
12. “ONE” by Terrence Mosley
Character: Mom
Abstract: A single mom tells her grownup son about his absent father and their heritage.
Monologue Snippet: “Your father was a sophisticated man, however he liked you in his personal approach. He left us, sure, however not as a result of he didn’t care. He was working from his personal demons, ones that have been too sturdy for him to struggle. I see a lot of him in you. The nice components. The power, the fervour. However you could know the place you come from, our heritage, our struggles. It’s what makes us who we’re. It’s what makes you who you might be.”
For the complete monologue, you possibly can take a look at Backstage.
13. “And Turning, Keep” by Kellie Powell
Character: Amy
Abstract: Amy, a excessive schooler, talks about being led on by boys and her damaged coronary heart.
Monologue Snippet: “I assumed he liked me. I actually did. But it surely was all a sport to him, a merciless joke. I let myself imagine in his phrases, his guarantees. And now right here I’m, damaged, with nothing however reminiscences of his lies. It hurts a lot, greater than I assumed potential. How might somebody be so heartless? How might I be so naive? I don’t know if I’ll ever belief once more.”
For the complete monologue, confer with dramatic literature anthologies or on-line script libraries.
14. “Bargaining” by Kellie Powell
Character: Hannah
Abstract: Hannah tells her boyfriend that she is immortal, revealing a deep private secret.
Monologue Snippet: “There’s one thing I have to inform you. One thing I’ve by no means informed anybody. I’m immortal. I’ve lived for hundreds of years, seen the rise and fall of empires, watched family members come and go. It’s a lonely existence, one which’s onerous to clarify. I assumed I might be regular with you, however I can’t disguise it anymore. You need to know the reality about who I’m, about what I’m. I really like you, however that is my burden to bear, not yours.”
For the complete monologue, confer with dramatic literature anthologies or on-line script libraries.
15. “The Promise of You” by Daniel Martine
Character: Carolyn
Abstract: Carolyn displays on her life when Bobby returns.
Monologue Snippet:
“Bobby, you recognize, if you left, I assumed it was the top for me. I couldn’t see past the heartbreak. However then I discovered power in locations I by no means knew existed. I constructed a life, a house, one thing secure. And now you’re again, stirring all these outdated emotions, making me query the whole lot once more. However I’m not that very same woman you left behind. I’ve grown, I’ve modified. I promised myself I’d by no means return to that place of dependency and concern. You need to perceive that the girl standing earlier than you now isn’t the identical one you walked away from.”
For the complete monologue, please confer with on-line libraries
16. “Richard Fisher’s Funeral” by Kellie Powell
Character: Drew
Abstract: Drew explains why she received’t forgive her father at his funeral.
Monologue Snippet:
“Why ought to I forgive him? He was by no means there. Not once I wanted him. Not when Mother wanted him. His guarantees have been as empty as his seat at my commencement, as hole as his phrases when he mentioned he liked us. And now, you need me to face right here and faux that he was some sort of hero? No, I received’t do it. He doesn’t deserve it. He doesn’t deserve my forgiveness, and he doesn’t deserve my tears. He was nothing however a stranger to me, a ghost haunting the corners of my life.”
For the complete monologue, go to Not My Footwear and Stage Performs.
17. “Snow White Will get Her Say” by Chris Wind
Character: Catherine
Abstract: Catherine plots her revenge on all the lads who’ve wronged her.
Monologue Snippet:
“You suppose you recognize my story, don’t you? The beautiful little princess ready to be saved. However let me inform you one thing, that story is a lie. They twisted my life into some sort of fairy story, however there was nothing magical about it. I used to be used, betrayed, and left to fend for myself. However I’m not the naive woman they thought I used to be. I’ve discovered, I’ve grown stronger. And now, it’s my flip to rewrite the story. To take management. To make them pay for each lie, each deceit. They received’t see me coming, however they’ll bear in mind my title. Catherine, the one who took her revenge.”
For the complete monologue, go to Stage Performs and Scribd.
18. “Good Will Searching” by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck
Character: Sean
Monologue: “Considered what you mentioned to me the opposite day, about my portray. Stayed up half the night time fascinated by it. Then one thing occurred to me and I fell right into a deep, peaceable sleep and haven’t considered you since. You understand what occurred to me? You’re only a child. You don’t have the faintest thought what you’re speaking about. You’ve by no means been out of Boston.”
Sean : So if I requested you about artwork, you’d in all probability give me the thin on each artwork e-book ever written. Michelangelo, you recognize rather a lot about him. Life’s work, political aspirations, him and the pope, sexual orientations, the entire works, proper? However I’ll guess you possibly can’t inform me what it smells like within the Sistine Chapel. You’ve by no means truly stood there and regarded up at that stunning ceiling; seen that. If I ask you about ladies, you’d in all probability give me a syllabus about your private favorites. You could have even been laid a couple of occasions. However you possibly can’t inform me what it feels prefer to get up subsequent to a girl and really feel actually pleased. You’re a tricky child. And I’d ask you about warfare, you’d in all probability throw Shakespeare at me, proper, “as soon as extra unto the breach expensive associates.” However you’ve by no means been close to one. You’ve by no means held your finest good friend’s head in your lap, watch him gasp his final breath trying to you for assist. I’d ask you about love, you’d in all probability quote me a sonnet. However you’ve by no means checked out a girl and been completely susceptible. Identified somebody that would stage you along with her eyes, feeling like God put an angel on earth only for you. Who might rescue you from the depths of hell. And also you wouldn’t know what it’s prefer to be her angel, to have that love for her, be there without end, by way of something, by way of most cancers. And also you wouldn’t find out about sleeping sitting up within the hospital room for 2 months, holding her hand, as a result of the docs might see in your eyes, that the phrases “visiting hours” don’t apply to you. You don’t find out about actual loss, ’trigger it solely happens if you’ve liked one thing greater than you’re keen on your self. And I doubt you’ve ever dared to like anyone that a lot. And take a look at you… I don’t see an clever, assured man… I see a cocky, scared shitless child. However you’re a genius Will. Nobody denies that. Nobody might presumably perceive the depths of you. However you presume to know the whole lot about me since you noticed a portray of mine, and also you ripped my fucking life aside. You’re an orphan proper?
[Will nods]
Sean : You suppose I do know the very first thing about how onerous your life has been, how you are feeling, who you might be, as a result of I learn Oliver Twist? Does that encapsulate you? Personally… I don’t give a shit about all that, as a result of you recognize what, I can’t study something from you, I can’t learn in some fuckin’ e-book. Until you need to speak about you, who you might be. Then I’m fascinated. I’m in. However you don’t need to do this do you sport? You’re fearful of what you may say. Your transfer, chief.
Obtain This Monologue Right here
19. “Scent Of A Lady”
Character: Lt. Col. Frank Slade
Abstract: Slade has Charlie accompany him to New York Metropolis, aspiring to savor one final weekend earlier than ending his personal life. All through their time collectively, Charlie types a bond with Slade and finally prevents him from committing suicide. Slade then decides to return to the prep college with Charlie to attend the disciplinary committee assembly. George has made a deal to call the three college students concerned within the prank however plans to say he didn’t see them clearly because of not carrying his contact lenses, implying solely Charlie actually noticed the culprits. Charlie refuses to disclose their identities, prompting the headmaster to arrange to suggest Charlie’s expulsion. At this second, an outraged Slade delivers the next speech:
Monologue Snippet:
“I’ve seen boys like these, youthful than these, their arms torn out, their legs ripped off. However there’s nothing just like the sight of an amputated spirit. There is no such thing as a prosthetic for that. You suppose you’re merely sending this splendid foot soldier again house to Oregon together with his tail between his legs, however I say you might be executing his soul! And why? As a result of he’s not a Baird man. Baird males. You damage this boy, you’re going to be Baird bums, the lot of you. And Harry, Jimmy, Trent, wherever you might be on the market, FUCK YOU TOO!”
For the complete monologue, you possibly can confer with the sources under:
20. “The Seagull” By Anton Chekov
Character: Treplev
Abstract: Treplev’s relationship together with his mom, a famend actress, is intricate; they meet sporadically annually since he reached maturity. Aspiring to be a playwright, Treplev strongly criticizes up to date theatrical norms. The monologue in query is directed at his uncle, Sorin, starting with him methodically plucking petals off a flower.
Monologue: She loves me, she loves me not; she loves me, she loves me not; she loves me, she loves me not. You see? My mom doesn’t love me. In fact not! She needs to stay, to like, to put on vivid attire, and right here I’m, twenty-five years outdated, a relentless reminder that she is now not younger. Once I’m not there, she’s solely thirty-two, however when I’m, she’s forty-three – and for that, she hates me. In addition to, she is aware of I don’t settle for the theatre. She loves the theatre, she thinks she is serving humanity and the sacred reason for artwork, whereas for my part, the theatre of at the moment is hidebound and standard. When the curtain goes up, and, in a room with three partitions and synthetic mild, these nice geniuses, these monks of holy artwork, present me how folks eat, drink, love, stroll about, and put on their jackets; when from these banal scenes and phrases they attempt to fish out an ethical – some little ethical that’s simply grasped and appropriate for home use; when, in a thousand variations, I’m served the identical factor over and again and again – then I flee, as Maupassant fled from the Eiffel Tower, which made his mind reel with vulgarity.
Obtain This Monologue Right here
21. “The Seagull” By Anton Chekov
Character: Nina
Abstract: Nina returns to Sorin’s property, having been deserted by Trigorin as soon as her attract and innocence light. Upon encountering her former lover, Treplev, she succumbs to emotional breakdown.
Monologue: Why do you say that you’ve got kissed the bottom I walked on? You must kill me somewhat. I’m so drained. If I might solely relaxation—relaxation. I’m a sea-gull—no—no, I’m an actress. He’s there too. Ah, nicely—regardless of. He doesn’t imagine within the theatre; he used to snort at my goals, in order that little by little I turned down-hearted and ceased to imagine in it too. Then got here all of the cares of affection, the continuous nervousness about my baby, in order that I quickly grew trivial and spiritless, and performed my components with out which means. I by no means knew what to do with my arms, and I couldn’t stroll correctly or management my voice. You can not think about the mind-set of 1 who is aware of as he goes by way of a play how terribly badly he’s performing. I’m a sea-gull—no—no, that’s not what I meant to say. Do you bear in mind the way you shot a seagull as soon as? A person chanced to move that approach and destroyed it out of idleness. That’s an thought for a brief story, however it’s not what I meant to say.
(She passes her hand throughout her brow)
What was I saying? Oh, sure, the stage. I’ve modified now. Now I’m an actual actress. I act with pleasure, with exaltation, I’m intoxicated by it, and really feel that I’m excellent. I’ve been strolling and strolling, and pondering and pondering, ever since I’ve been right here, and I really feel the power of my spirit rising in me day-after-day. I do know now, I perceive eventually, Constantine, that for us, whether or not we write or act, it’s not the honour and glory of which I’ve dreamt that’s necessary, it’s the power to endure. One should know tips on how to bear one’s cross, and one should have religion. I imagine, and so don’t endure a lot, and once I consider my calling I don’t concern life.
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22. “Jesus Hopped The A Prepare” By Stephen Adly Guirgis
Character: Angel
Abstract: Angel, a younger Puerto Rican man, is incarcerated at Riker’s Island jail awaiting trial for the homicide of a cult spiritual chief. On this scene, he converses together with his court-appointed legal professional.
Monologue:
ANGEL: . . . We usta, me and Joey, we usta sneak out our home on Solar-
day nights, soar the turnstiles. And we might hop down onto the
subway tracks, stroll by way of the tunnels, lookin’ for shit, makin’ ad-
ventures, playin’ like we was G.I. Joes . . . Decide up a empty can a
Hawaiian Punch or some ol’ beer bottle for pretend walkie-talkies . . .
and we’d have our snow-boots on so we might be astronauts. And we
would faux we have been the final two survivors on earth and that we
got here from the longer term . . . silly . . . the longer term . . . like in that Planet
of the Apes film with the 2 guys? Solely we had no weapons, juss
chocolate milk . . . And we’d get so misplaced in our video games and our dis-
coveries and our made-up tales . . . so many tales: lookin’ for ghosts,
lookin’ for apes, lookin’ for fortunes, runnin’ from rats, talkin’ bout
women, talkin’ bout Thelma from “Good Occasions,” talkin’ bout daydreams,
talkin’ ’bout Bruce Lee versus Evil Knievel, talkin’ in phrases that was-
n’t even phrases, . . . and . . . and it might all the time shock us once we
noticed the Lights . . . though we might really feel the prepare coming, however
it was the Lights . . . The nearer these Lights got here, rumble of the tracks,
sound a the conductor’s horn blarin’ at us. We’d get so excited we’d
freeze — two seconds of freezin’ chilly . . . hypnotized . . . holdin’ arms,
waitin’, waitin’, then: Bang . . . We’d soar off the rails, hug the wall,
climb again up the platform, begin runnin’, runnin’, tearin’ ass clear
throughout city again to Riverside or Cherry Park . . . One time . . . one
explicit time, once we was holdin’ arms proper earlier than we jumped
off the rails, somethin’ occurred, and we couldn’t let go, couldn’t un-
tangle ourself from one another, and we have been inside that Mild, and we
each noticed skeletons and radiation, and we was paralyzed in a approach that
I juss can’t clarify, until somethin’ blew us aside, juss blew us, and we
landed secure . . . We didn’t transfer for a very long time . . . We was cryin’
and Joey ripped his brother’s coat . . . We wasn’t speakin’ until we bought
to our block and Joey mentioned that it was The Mild that ripped us aside
and saved our lives . . . Joey mentioned, “Jesus hopped the A prepare to see us
secure to mattress” . . .
