Here is a (long) list of things that need to be covered when analyzing a monologue. I put it together to help me prepare for my drama class.
Feel free to use it for your acting class or audition.
A printable PDF table is also available (see below).
CHARACTER PROFILE
- Name
- Age
- Ancestry (roots, ethnicity)
- Parents
- Environment he/she was raised in
- Childhood memory
- Education
- Religion/philosophy
- Environment that he/she currently lives and works in.
- Time period/era: what is happening historically?
- Social status
- Occupation
- Work history
- Financial status
- Friends
- Romantic interest
- Marital status
- Spouse/ideal spouse
- Children
- Life goals
- Deepest fears
- Best qualities
- Worst qualities
- Sense of humor
- Health
- Fantasy
- Favourite book
- Favourite food
- Favourite restaurant
- Favourite music
- Favourite movie
- Favourite movie star
- Colour(s)
- Clothing style
- Sport/game
- Hobby
- Pet
THE OTHER PERSON
- Who is he?
- Their relationship
- Who has higher status/power in the relationship?
CHARACTER’S PROGRESSION THROUGH THE MONOLOGUE
- Objectives of the monologue. What does the character want to achieve with the monologue?
- The central conflict. What is the cause of the conflict (greed, fear, opposing value systems, etc)?
- What adjectives can be used to describe the character at the beginning of the monologue?
- The “beats” of the monologue – dramatic shift in emotion, intention, power. When do they occur? What exactly changes? What’s the subtext of the words for each beat (or for each line)?
- What adjectives can be used to describe the character at the end of the monologue?
- What happened just before the beginning of the monologue?
- What is going to happen after?
- What secrets is each character keeping from the other?
THE SET
- Where is the action taking place?
- What are the characters doing? Are they sitting, standing, walking, etc?
Download the printable PDF version of this document.
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