Dramatic Monologue (Literary Term)

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A dramatic monologue is a type of poem or speech in which a single speaker addresses a silent listener or audience, revealing their thoughts, feelings, and character. Unlike a soliloquy in drama, which is spoken alone on stage, a dramatic monologue is directed to someone else, though that listener never speaks.

The form is called “dramatic” because it has a dramatic situation, a specific speaker, and an implied audience. It is called a “monologue” because only one person speaks throughout. This technique allows readers to understand not only what the speaker says but also what is hidden between the lines, exposing their psychology, motives, and flaws.

Key Features

  • A single speaker delivers the entire speech.
  • The speaker is not the poet but a created character.
  • The audience or listener is silent and only implied.
  • The speaker unintentionally reveals aspects of their personality.
  • The poem has a dramatic situation, often involving conflict or tension.

Famous Examples

  • Robert Browning is the master of this form. His poems like "My Last Duchess", "Porphyria’s Lover", and "Andrea del Sarto" are classic examples.
  • Alfred Lord Tennyson’s "Ulysses" is another well-known dramatic monologue.
  • T.S. Eliot’s "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" also follows the tradition.

Importance in Literature

The dramatic monologue gives poets a way to:

  • Explore psychology and inner conflict.
  • Present a character’s voice directly without narration.
  • Use irony, as the speaker often reveals more than they intend.
  • Combine drama, narrative, and lyric in one form

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