Dramatic monologue

Definition

A dramatic monologue is a type of poem or speech where a single character speaks to an implied audience, revealing their thoughts, feelings, and motivations. This literary form allows the speaker to express their inner turmoil or conflict while simultaneously providing insight into their character and circumstances. It creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as the audience becomes a part of the character's emotional journey.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dramatic monologues often feature a specific moment in time, capturing the speaker's thoughts during a critical juncture in their life.
2. This form allows poets like Robert Browning to explore complex psychological states and moral dilemmas through the voices of distinct characters.
3. The implied audience in a dramatic monologue serves to heighten the emotional intensity and create an engaging atmosphere as listeners react to the speaker's revelations.
4. Dramatic monologues are characterized by their use of conversational language and vivid imagery, which help to create a sense of realism and immediacy.
5. Some famous examples include Browning's 'My Last Duchess' and 'Porphyria's Lover', both of which showcase themes of love, power, and jealousy.

Review Questions

• How does a dramatic monologue enhance the reader's understanding of a character's internal conflict?
  • A dramatic monologue enhances understanding by allowing the character to express their innermost thoughts and emotions directly to the audience. This one-sided conversation reveals not only their feelings but also their motivations and circumstances surrounding their conflict. By providing insight into their psyche, the audience gains a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the character's situation.
• In what ways do poets like Robert Browning utilize dramatic monologues to explore themes of power and control?
  • Poets like Robert Browning utilize dramatic monologues to delve into themes of power and control by presenting characters who articulate their desires and actions in ways that reflect their dominance or vulnerability. Through the speaker's voice, readers can see how authority shapes relationships, often exposing moral ambiguities or ethical dilemmas. The use of intimate language also invites readers to consider how power dynamics play out in personal interactions.
• Evaluate the impact of dramatic monologues on Victorian poetry as a whole, considering their role in shaping literary expression during that era.
  • Dramatic monologues had a profound impact on Victorian poetry by allowing poets to experiment with voice and characterization in ways that reflected contemporary social concerns. This form enabled poets to address complex issues like identity, morality, and social justice through vivid characters, ultimately enriching literary expression during this period. The psychological depth offered by dramatic monologues helped bridge poetry and drama, paving the way for new narrative techniques that influenced later writers.

Related terms

soliloquy: A soliloquy is a speech delivered by a character alone on stage, expressing their inner thoughts and feelings directly to the audience, often used in drama.

characterization: Characterization is the process by which an author reveals the personality, traits, and motivations of a character through their dialogue, actions, and thoughts.

narrative voice: Narrative voice refers to the perspective from which a story is told, including the tone and style that convey the narrator's character and attitude.