Shakespeare and the history of soliloquies

the long version

"Shakespeare and the History of Soliloquies provides the first systemic and comprehensive account of the conventions governing soliloquies in Western drama from antiquity to the twentieth century. Avoiding anachronistic assumptions that have marred earlier commentaries on soliloquies, the present study is based on a painstaking analysis of the actual practices of dramatists from each age of theatrical history. This investigation has uncovered evidence that refutes longstanding commonplaces about soliloquies in general, about Shakespeare's soliloquies in particular, and especially about the "To be, or not to be" episode."--BOOK JACKET.