Dramatic Monologue: A dramatic monologue is a type of poem or literary work in which a single speaker speaks in front of a silent listener or listeners. In a dramatic monologue, a narrator shares his personal experiences. It is expressed in a highly reflective manner. The speaker may share their thought and feelings.
Characteristics of Dramatic Monologue
- Single Speaker: A single speaker will be present in the Dramatic Monologue.
- Silent listener or listeners: A silent listener or listeners will be present.
- Self-revelation: The speaker of the Dramatic Monologue will focus on self-revelation.
- Abrupt Beginning: The Dramatic Monologue poem will be started abruptly.
- Moral story: A moral story is discussed in this type of poem.
- A wide variety of characters: Different types of characters are being presented/discussed in a dramatic monologue.
- Robert Browning (1812-1889): ‘My Last Duchess,’ ‘The Patriot,’ ‘Andrea Del Sarto,’ ‘Fra Lippo Lippi’ etc.
- E. B. Browning (1806-1861), wife of Robert Browning: 'The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim's Point'.
- Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892): 'Ulysses', Locksley Hall, Oenone.
- T. S. Eliot (1888-1965): 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock'
- Elizabeth Bishop (1911-1979): 'Crusoe in England'.
- Judith Wright (1915-2000): 'Eve to Her Daughters'.
- Carol Ann Duffy (1955-present): 'Medusa'.
