Final answer:
A dramatic monologue is a lengthy speech delivered by a single character in a play, while a soliloquy is a speech made by a character who is alone on stage, addressing their thoughts and feelings directly to the audience.
Step-by-step explanation:
A dramatic monologue is a lengthy speech delivered by a single character in a play. The purpose of the monologue is to reveal the character's thoughts, feelings, and motivations to the audience or another character on stage. A famous example of a dramatic monologue is Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess."
A soliloquy, on the other hand, is a speech made by a character who is alone on stage, addressing their thoughts and feelings directly to the audience. It serves to provide insight into the character's inner thoughts and conflicts, often revealing information that other characters are not aware of. An example of a soliloquy is Hamlet's "To be or not to be" speech.
In summary, while both dramatic monologues and soliloquies are speeches delivered by a single character, the key distinction lies in the presence of other characters on stage. In a dramatic monologue, other characters may be present, whereas in a soliloquy, the character is alone on stage.