Question
Look at Act IV, Scene i, lines 139 through 142 (below). Is Prospero’s
dialogue a soliloquy, an aside, or a monologue?
Prospero. [Aside] I had forgot that foul conspiracy
140 Of the beast Caliban and his confederates
Against my life. The minute of their plot
Is almost come. [To the Spirits] Well done! Avoid!
Ferdinand. This is strange: your father’s in some passion
That works him strongly.
dialogue a soliloquy, an aside, or a monologue?
Prospero. [Aside] I had forgot that foul conspiracy
140 Of the beast Caliban and his confederates
Against my life. The minute of their plot
Is almost come. [To the Spirits] Well done! Avoid!
Ferdinand. This is strange: your father’s in some passion
That works him strongly.
Ask by Rodriguez Cox. in the United States
Jan 23,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
Prospero’s dialogue in lines 139 through 142 is an aside.
Solution
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Bonus Knowledge
In this scene, Prospero’s dialogue is classified as an aside. He speaks to himself, revealing his thoughts about Caliban’s conspiracy, while the other characters are present but not part of that particular dialogue. This technique allows the audience to gain insight into Prospero’s internal conflict and the tensions building in the story.
Interestingly, aside moments are used strategically in many plays to build dramatic irony. They let the audience in on secrets that the characters on stage are unaware of, heightening suspense and engagement. In this case, while Ferdinand is puzzled by his father’s agitation, we, as the audience, are privy to Prospero’s grave concerns, amplifying the drama.
