Definition of Soliloquy
In Act 3, the Jailer’s Daughter, who is deeply in love with the imprisoned Palamon, frees the young Theban gentleman from the prison as an expression of her affection. Misunderstanding her feelings, Palamon heads towards the city of Athens in order to find his beloved Emilia. Reflecting sadly upon the failure of her attempt to woo Palamon, the Jailor’s Daughter delivers a lengthy soliloquy:
Food took I none these two days;
Sipped some water. I have not closed mine eyes
Save when my lids scoured off their brine. Alas,
Dissolve, my life! Let not my sense unsettle,
Lest I should drown, or stab, or hang myself.
O state of nature, fail together in me,
Since thy best props are warped! So, which way now?
The best way is the next way to a grave;
Each errant step beside is torment.