Figures of Speech in the poem The Patriot Robert Browning's - The Patriot is a dramatic monologue The poem is full of powerful emotions and vivid imagery The poem uses several figures of speech to express the speaker s rise and fall the unstable nature of public admiration and the hope for divine justice These literary devices enhance the poem's meaning and appeal to the readers emotions Here are key figures of speech used in the poem Symbolism Browning uses symbols to convey deep ideas Roses and myrtle symbolize celebration and honor during the speaker s moment of glory Later the scaffold and stones symbolize his punishment and disgrace These symbols show the drastic shift in the speaker's life Metaphor The poet uses metaphors to compare ideas indirectly For example leaped at the sun represents the speaker's ambitious efforts to achieve great things This metaphor helps readers understand the speaker