Best Monologues
The best monologues stick to you regardless of whether you relate to what they’re saying or not. It could be the portrayal of the actor or actress, or maybe the way the tears choked them up. Famous monologues have become timeless. The best drama movies often have your favorite movie monologues, with lessons humanity can never forget. It could be an angry monologue filled with purpose and conviction, or sometimes even a dramatic monologue that can twist a knife inside your heart. It’s possible that you came looking for monologues to feel these things.
If you’re looking for acting scripts, it’s common to use monologues from movies. Short monologues or one-minute monologues are the best to use when looking for monologue scripts. Acting lines to practice out give the best auditions. Regardless of your reasons, talking about monologues isn’t as good as introducing the best monologues out there. So here’s a list of the 30 best monologues in history. Enjoy!
Best Monologues of Actors
Charlie Chaplin – The Great Dictator’s finale
“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be an emperor. That’s not my business. I don’t want to rule or conquer anyone.”
One of the most memorable monologues that stands the test of time is Chaplin’s The Great Dictator. Dramatic monologues for men are easy to find. But if you’re looking into hearing motivational speeches, you can’t go wrong with The Great Dictator. The movie was made in 1940. Chaplin played two opposite roles: Adenoid Hynkel, a horrible dictator, and a Jewish Barber.
The monologue tries to push humanity to move into working together rather than follow machine-thinking leaders. This last speech of the Great Dictator has become relevant even in modern society. Corrupt leaders still exist today and as such the message remains important.
Dead Poets Society – What’s Your Verse?
“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race.”
Robin Williams has become an iconic actor. He is remembered for many roles during his life. One of the most notable monologues is his lecture in Dead Poets Society. He teaches the boys the reason to live rather than the way to stay alive.
It’s a coming-of-age movie about John Keating and his students. John focuses on the children to fulfill their lives with excitement. The famous “carpe diem” was used in the film constantly. The movie inspires many youths to pursue their genuine passion and their purpose in life. However, it also teaches parents to trust in their children’s dreams rather than controlling their future.
A Few Good Men – You can’t handle the truth!
“Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who’s gonna do it? You?”
It’s a harsh world we live in, and nothing’s harsher than defending the front lines. Nicholson’s speech throws off Cruise’s character by a milestone easily. His performance was of controlled rage. While Cruise’s character was defending the lives lost, Nicholson’s character prioritized the lives saved.
The monologue was set in a courthouse with Jessup (Nicholson) defending himself against Kaffee (Cruise). The speech portrays itself as more of a lecture towards Kaffee. Jessup is not afraid to admit that the consequences of his actions lost lives, but saved many more. It’s a very militaristic mindset that only a few can actually stick to. It’s one of the best movie monologues of all time.
