Dramatic Monologue: Definition, Origin, and Characteristics

Definition:

A dramatic monologue is a poem in which a single speaker addresses a silent listener, revealing their thoughts, emotions, and personality through their speech. It often provides insight into the speaker’s character, sometimes in an ironic or unintended way.

Origin & Meaning of Monologue:

The term ‘monologue’ is made up of the Greek words ‘monos‘ meaning ‘one’ and ‘logos’ meaning ‘speech’. Hence a monologue is a composition intended to be spoken by one person. The dramatic monologue is a poetic presentation in action. “It is a speech in the poetic medium with a dominant dramatic action”. 

• The dramatic monologue as a distinct poetic form was popularized by Robert Browning in the Victorian era, although its roots can be traced back to earlier poets like John Donne and William Shakespeare (in soliloquies).
• Browning perfected the form in poems like My Last Duchess and The Last Ride Together.

Key Features of a Dramatic Monologue:

1. A Single Speaker:
   • The poem is entirely spoken by one character, revealing their personality, thoughts, and motivations.
2. A Silent Listener:
   • There is an implied audience within the poem, but they do not respond. Their presence is only hinted at through the speaker’s words.
3. Psychological Depth:
   • The poem gives insight into the speaker’s mind, often revealing their true nature indirectly.
4. Dramatic Situation:
   • The poem presents a critical moment or decision in the speaker’s life.
5. Irony:
   • Often, the speaker unintentionally reveals aspects of themselves that they did not mean to, creating dramatic irony.

Theme of Dramatic Monologue:

The theme is psychological. The principal aim of this dramatic form is character analysis.

Nature of Dramatic Monologue:

The dramatic monologue is retrospective, reminiscent, and analytical by its nature. It is an expression of the mood or the inner self of the speaker. Robert Browning wanted to lay bare the soul of man. He has created many characters, and each poem is a speech spoken by a character. The word ‘dramatic’ was observed by Browning. He wrote Dramas, Dramatic lyrics, and dramatic monologues.

Rhyme Scheme & Meter in Dramatic Monologues:

• Most dramatic monologues are written in iambic pentameter, a meter consisting of ten syllables per line with alternating unstressed and stressed beats.
• The rhyme scheme varies depending on the poem but often follows structured patterns like AABB, ABAB, or ABBA.

Famous Dramatic Monologues, Poets & Their Poetic Features:

 

1. My Last Duchess – Robert Browning

• Rhyme Scheme: AABB (Heroic Couplets)
• Meter: Iambic Pentameter
• Summary:

  

  The Duke of Ferrara shows a portrait of his late wife to an emissary. While trying to justify her death, he unintentionally reveals his possessive and jealous nature, hinting that he had her killed.

• Famous Lines:
  

  “That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall,
  Looking as if she were alive.”

2. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock – T.S. Eliot

• Rhyme Scheme: Irregular, often fragmented
• Meter: Varied, mostly free verse with some iambic meter
• Summary:
  The poem is a dramatic monologue where the hesitant, insecure Prufrock reflects on his life, love, and unfulfilled desires, struggling with self-doubt.
• Famous Lines:
  

  “Do I dare
  Disturb the universe?”

3. Ulysses – Alfred, Lord Tennyson

• Rhyme Scheme: Unrhymed blank verse (Iambic Pentameter)
• Summary:
  The aged King Ulysses (Odysseus) reflects on his past adventures and expresses his desire to continue exploring rather than settling into a quiet life.
• Famous Lines:
  

  “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”

Conclusion:

Dramatic monologues are a powerful form of poetry that provide deep psychological insight into characters. They were perfected by Robert Browning but have been used by many poets to explore themes of power, love, regret, and ambition.