Question 1: What technique is Hamlet using in this passage? Is he speaking to other characters or the audience?

Answer: He is using a soliloquy, speaking directly to the audience to share his inner thoughts.

Question 2: Explain the purpose of a soliloquy in a play.

Answer: A soliloquy reveals a character's inner thoughts and feelings directly to the audience.

Question 1: What distinguishes Richard's speech in this excerpt as an aside?

Answer: He is speaking quietly to the audience while other characters are present, which is characteristic of an aside.

Question 2: What is the main purpose of an aside in a play?

Answer: An aside allows a character to share private thoughts or comments with the audience without other characters hearing.

Question 1: Identify which lines are soliloquy and which are aside, and explain your reasoning.

Answer: Ophelia's line is a soliloquy because it is a personal expression, while Richard's is an aside because he speaks privately to the audience while other characters are present.

Question 2: Why do playwrights use soliloquies and asides? Write your answer in 2-3 sentences.

Answer: Playwrights use these techniques to give the audience insight into a character's thoughts and to add dramatic irony or humor.

Question 1: Your task is to write a soliloquy where the character reveals their inner conflict. Include at least two literary techniques (e.g., rhetorical questions, metaphors). Use the provided checklist to guide your writing.

Answer: See full answer key

Question 1: Identify the technique used and discuss how it helps develop Juliet’s character or the scene’s mood.

Answer: The technique is an aside, which allows Juliet to express her inner feelings privately, revealing her love and internal conflict.