* Dialogue: Characters often reveal their thoughts and feelings through their conversations with others. This can be done directly, with characters explicitly stating their thoughts, or indirectly, through hints, subtext, or the way they respond to others.
* Soliloquies and Monologues: These are speeches where a character speaks their thoughts aloud, often when alone on stage.
* Soliloquy: A long speech by a character alone on stage, expressing their thoughts and feelings.
* Monologue: A long speech by a character, but it might be addressed to another character on stage.
* Asides: A brief remark by a character, directed to the audience or to another character on stage, but not heard by the other characters in the play. This allows a character to share their private thoughts with the audience.
* Stage Directions: These are instructions written by the playwright, often within the script, that guide the actors and directors on how to deliver the lines and present the characters. Stage directions can include descriptions of a character's physical demeanor, facial expressions, and tone of voice, which can hint at their inner thoughts.
* Actions and Reactions: The way a character behaves, their actions, and reactions to events can provide clues about their inner thoughts and feelings. For example, a character who fidgets or avoids eye contact might be nervous or hiding something.
* Costumes and Props: The clothes a character wears, the objects they carry, or the setting they occupy can all symbolize their inner thoughts and feelings. For example, a character dressed in black might be mourning or feeling melancholic.
Remember, playwrights strive to create a compelling experience for the audience. They want the audience to understand the characters' thoughts and emotions, but they also want to keep the story moving forward and engaging. By carefully using these techniques, playwrights can reveal the characters' inner lives while maintaining the dramatic flow of the play.