A dramatic monologue is a type of poetry in which a single speaker, usually not the poet, reveals their inner thoughts and feelings to an audience or an implied listener. The speaker is often a fictional character, but they can also be a historical figure or a literary creation. The monologue typically takes the form of a speech or soliloquy and is used to reveal the speaker's character and motivations.
One of the most famous examples of a dramatic monologue is Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess," in which the speaker, the Duke of Ferrara, speaks to an emissary sent by a prospective bride's family. Through the Duke's words and the subsequent description of a portrait of his late wife, the reader learns about the Duke's jealousy, possessiveness, and manipulative nature.
Dramatic monologues can also be found in plays and novels, where they serve a similar purpose of revealing a character's inner thoughts and motivations. For example, in William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," the titular character delivers a famous soliloquy in which he contemplates suicide and grapples with his own mortality.
In addition to revealing character, dramatic monologues can also be used to explore themes and ideas. For example, in T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," the speaker grapples with feelings of inadequacy and his inability to connect with others. Through his monologue, Eliot explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human desire for connection and understanding.
Overall, dramatic monologues are a powerful tool for poets, playwrights, and novelists to reveal the inner thoughts and motivations of their characters and explore deeper themes and ideas. They allow the audience to gain insight into the characters' personalities and experiences and can help to create a more immersive and engaging storytelling experience.