Not much has been written on the dramatic monologue. Often times the dramatic monologue is simply classified rather than picked apart for what it is. Because of this, people often don't have a full understanding of what the dramatic monologue is, and they compare any to Browning's My Last Duchess therefore holding other dramatic monologues to the same standard.
"We see, on the other hand, that dramatic monologue is unprecedented in its effect, that its effect distinguishes it, in spite of mechanical resemblance, from the monologues of traditional poetry; and on the other hand, we welcome as partially illuminating just those 'approximations' that distress the classifiers." pg.525
One of the primary components of the dramatic monologue is sympathy. Apart from judgement, sympathy allows for the reader to relate to the character or the position in the dramatic monologue. Sympathy allows for the reader to feel what it is like to believe the way the writer wants them to believe.Although sympathy plays a huge role in the interpretation and reader involvement in the dramatic monologue, judgement is key in adopting a character's point of view. Readers can use judgement as a way to adopt a character's point of view because it allows for the reader to judge the character and judge the way the reader may think the character sees things based on characteristics of the character such as age.
The dramatic monologue, though first used by Tennyson, is more associated with Browning's name. Browning turns a narrative into a lyrical journey and allows for the reader to identify with the characters.
Browning, Robert, James F. Loucks, and Andrew M. Stauffer. Robert Browning's Poetry. New York: W.W. Norton, 2006. Print.
The dramatic monologue, though first used by Tennyson, is more associated with Browning's name. Browning turns a narrative into a lyrical journey and allows for the reader to identify with the characters.
"Dramatic monologue in the Browning tradition is, in a word, anything but monological." pg. 547
Browning's dramatic monologue represents a depiction of the modern mind. A clear identifier of Browning's dramatic monologue is the shift between the historical line or punctual lyric genre collide into one another.
Dramatic monologue allows for readers to sort out and distinguish poetry that is both related and non-related to the dramatic monologue. Unlike texts that can lack a speaker, dramatic monologue often times has a distinguished speaker that allows readers to fully relate and understand the story that is being told.
Dramatic monologue allows for readers to sort out and distinguish poetry that is both related and non-related to the dramatic monologue. Unlike texts that can lack a speaker, dramatic monologue often times has a distinguished speaker that allows readers to fully relate and understand the story that is being told.
Browning, Robert, James F. Loucks, and Andrew M. Stauffer. Robert Browning's Poetry. New York: W.W. Norton, 2006. Print.
I like your comment about Browning's dramatic monologues as depicting the modern mind. His concern with the psychological state of the characters he creates and writes about definitely reflects this. It's a new concern in the Victorian era--a more complex way of understanding the human character.
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