Dramatic Monologue

I created a dramatic monologue that explores guilt, betrayal, and the torment of a mind unable to find peace. Inspired by Francisco Goya’s The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters, the biblical story of Judas, and the mythological burden of Odysseus, this piece delves into the inescapable nature of regret. The speaker is a haunted figure—whether living or dead is uncertain—trapped in a purgatorial nightmare, rejected by both the world of the living and the afterlife.

This monologue is meant to immerse the audience in the character’s fractured psyche, blending psychological horror with poetic prose. It is a study of a soul unraveling beneath the weight of their own conscience, questioning whether they are being punished or simply punishing themselves.

Writing Tools: Google Docs / Notebook & Pen
Research Materials:
The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters by Francisco Goya
The story of Judas Iscariot and his betrayal of Jesus
The Odyssey, specifically Odysseus’ survivor’s guilt over his fallen crew
Greek mythology (Charon, the ferryman of the dead, and the concept of coins placed on the eyes of the deceased)
Editing Process: Several rounds of revision to enhance atmosphere, rhythm, and emotional depth

I began with the central theme: the torment of guilt and the fear of judgment. I wanted to create a monologue that felt like a descent into madness, where the character is trapped in their own mind, unable to escape the past.

I initially structured the monologue around the concept of sleeplessness—a mind so burdened that rest is impossible. From there, I built layers of surreal imagery:

The darkness that “writhes” and “shifts” to reflect a restless conscience.
Faces blooming in the black, a manifestation of those the speaker has betrayed.
The coins over the eyes, representing both death and the inability to move on

During revision, I focused on deepening the psychological horror by incorporating elements from myth and history:

Judas’ Regret: The monologue echoes the idea of a betrayal so great that even death offers no escape.
Odysseus’ Survivor’s Guilt: The speaker doesn’t just feel responsible—they are the last one left, cursed to remember.
Goya’s Nightmarish Vision: The painting suggests that without reason, darkness consumes us. Here, the speaker is past reason—monsters have already taken hold.
One key revision was changing the role of the coins. At first, they symbolized guilt. Then, I made them the coins meant for Charon, emphasizing that the speaker is dead in every way except physically. Yet, they cannot cross the river because even the ocean rejects them. This was a turning point in the monologue’s meaning, reinforcing the idea of a soul condemned to wander.

A dramatic monologue needs strong pacing to feel impactful when read aloud. I made the following adjustments:

Short, fragmented sentences in moments of intensity ("I am stuck." / "I deserve this." / "They remain."). These mimic the character’s fractured mental state.
Repetition for emphasis ("They remain." / "They always return." / "I remained."). This reinforces the inescapable nature of guilt.
A shift from uncertainty to resignation—at the start, the speaker is tormented but resisting. By the end, they have accepted their fate.

Since this is a dramatic monologue, I considered how an actor might perform it. Key elements to focus on in delivery:

Tone of voice: The monologue should be delivered with growing despair, shifting from anxious whispers to moments of sharp realization.
Pauses: The weight of certain lines ("I am stuck." / "They sank beneath the waves. I remained.") should be held for dramatic effect.
Physicality: A performer might instinctively touch their eyes when mentioning the coins, shiver at the mention of cold, or shrink as if physically burdened.
This monologue could work as a standalone piece, a scene in a psychological horror play, or even as part of a larger work exploring guilt and purgatory.

This piece is a blend of literature, mythology, art, and psychological horror. It examines the mind of a character drowning in their own regret, unable to find solace in life or death. By drawing on historical and mythological sources, I aimed to create a monologue that feels both deeply personal and universally haunting.

I hope this monologue resonates with readers and performers alike, offering a glimpse into the dark corners of guilt, memory, and fate.