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Rhetorical vs Soliloquy - What's the difference?

rhetorical | soliloquy |

As an adjective rhetorical

is part of or similar to rhetoric, which is the use of language as a means to persuade.

As a noun soliloquy is

the act of a character speaking to themselves so as to reveal their thoughts to the audience.

As a verb soliloquy is

to issue a soliloquy.

rhetorical

English

Adjective

(-)
  • Part of or similar to rhetoric, which is the use of language as a means to persuade.
    • A rhetorical question , for example, is one used merely to make a point, with no response expected.
  • Not earnest, or presented only for the purpose of an argument

    • Related terms

    * * *

    soliloquy

    English

    (wikipedia soliloquy)

    Noun

    (soliloquies)
  • (drama) The act of a character speaking to themselves so as to reveal their thoughts to the audience.
    • At the end of the second act the main villain gave a soliloquy detailing his plans to attack the protagonist.
  • A speech or written discourse in this form.
  • *

    • Usage notes

    Primarily used of theater, particularly the works of (William Shakespeare), as a term of art, particularly for finely-crafted speeches. An archetype is the “(To be or not to be)” soliloquy in (Hamlet). In informal speech or discussions of popular culture, the term monologue is used instead, generally in a pejorative sense, suggesting that the speaker is a self-centered boor who won’t shut up.

    Synonyms

    * (speech or written discourse) monologue

    Antonyms

    * (discourse of a single person) colloquy, dialogue, dialog

    Hypernyms

    * locution * oration

    Derived terms

    * soliloquist * soliloquize

    Related terms

    * solo, solitude * locution – see other terms on same loquor root

    See also

    * apostrophe * stage whisper

    Verb

  • (very, rare) To issue a soliloquy.

    • Synonyms

    * soliloquize (much more common)