monologi

Monologi is a form of speech delivered by a single speaker, used in theatre, literature, film, and public discourse. It encompasses a sustained, uninterrupted or semi-uninterrupted speech that may reveal a character's thoughts, backstory, or perspective and can advance narrative or thematic development. A monologue may be performed to an audience or addressed to oneself, and it can occur within a larger cast of characters.

In drama, the monologue is closely related to the soliloquy, but not identical. A soliloquy is typically spoken by a character who believes themselves to be alone on stage, whereas a monologue can occur in the presence of other characters and may be directed toward them or a general audience. In literature, the dramatic monologue is a verse or prose piece in which a single speaker addresses an implied listener and reveals psychological complexity or social commentary.

The term exists across languages. In Indonesian usage, monologi is the common term for this concept. English uses monologue; German uses Monolog; Spanish uses monólogo. Monologues appear in stand-up comedy, film voiceovers, and narrative poems as a device for character insight and exposition.

Etymology: from Greek monos 'one' and logos 'speech', through Latin monologus and French monologue, ultimately shaping modern usage.