from his own point of view. Second, the listener does not speak, but we can feel his presence. Third, the speech of the speaker reveals his thoughts, his past actions, and his present feelings. Browning’s “The Patriot” contains all these qualities.

A Single Speaker: In “The Patriot,” the only speaker is a patriot. He tells his story of glory and fall. At the beginning, he remembers how he was welcomed as a hero one year ago. People filled the streets with roses and myrtle flowers. He says,

“It was roses, roses, all the way.”

The rooftops were crowded with cheering people. The whole city celebrated him with bells and colorful flags. Through these lines, we see the speaker’s past success. We also see his tone of sadness as he compares the present with the past. This is a dramatic monologue because only the speaker talks. From his speech, we learn what happened.

Present Situation: Now the scene changes. Now, after only a year, people have forgotten his sacrifice. He is being taken for execution. There are no flowers. No cheering crowds on the rooftops. Instead, people gather at the scaffold to see him punished. It is raining as he walks to his death. His hands are tied tightly with a rope that cuts into his wrists. People throw stones at him. He feels blood on his forehead. He says:

“They fling…

Stones at me for my year's misdeeds.”

Feelings and Thoughts: From the speaker’s story, we understand that he is deeply hurt. He says he tried his best to do great things for the people. He says:

“Alack, it was I who leaped at the sun.”

This line means the patriot tried to do impossible things for his people. But after only a year, people have forgotten his sacrifice. They are now punishing him. So, he is speaking sorrowfully about his present situation. He feels that people have treated him unfairly. So, this poem is a fine dramatic monologue. Because it brings out the speaker’s feelings and thoughts from his story.

Faith in God: From the speaker’s monologue, we also learn about his character deeply. We understand that the patriot has deep faith in god. He does not become angry at the people. Instead, he keeps faith in god. He knows that god is not unfair. Though he is betrayed by the people, god will reward him justly. He says:

“’Tis God shall repay: I am safer so.”

This line shows his faith in God. This also shows his belief that God’s reward is more important than human praise.

For these reasons, “The Patriot” is a perfect dramatic monologue. In this poem, only the patriot speaks about his past glory and present fall. From his monologue, we learn deeply about his character, feelings, and thoughts. This masterpiece proves why Robert Browning is the master of dramatic monologue.