Dramatic monologue | What is dramatic monologue? Dramatic Monologue poem examples | My Last Duchess

Summary

This video explains the concept of a dramatic monologue, a form of poetry where a character, not the poet, delivers a speech. Derived from the Greek word 'monologos,' meaning 'single speech,' this type of poem features a single speaker addressing a silent listener. The speaker shares their thoughts, feelings, or experiences. Examples of dramatic monologues include 'My Last Duchess' by Robert Browning and 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock' by T.S. Eliot. The video further discusses the characteristics of this form, including its narrative style and focus on a solitary speaker.

Takeaways

• 📚 The term 'monologue' is derived from the Greek words 'mono' (single) and 'logos' (speech), meaning 'single speech.'
• 📝 A dramatic monologue is a specific type of poem where a single person, not the poet, speaks.
• 🧑‍🎤 The Victorian poet Robert Browning coined the term 'dramatic monologue' in the 19th century.
• 🗣️ In a dramatic monologue, the speaker is a character created by the poet, delivering a speech to an imagined listener.
• 🧍 One key characteristic of a dramatic monologue is having a single speaker expressing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
• 📖 Another characteristic is the narrative style, where the speaker tells a story or recounts experiences.
• 👥 The speaker in a dramatic monologue addresses a silent or imagined listener, who doesn't respond.
• 🖼️ 'My Last Duchess' by Robert Browning is a famous example of a dramatic monologue, where a Duke discusses a portrait of his late wife with a visitor.
• 💔 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock' by T.S. Eliot is another example, revealing the speaker's innermost thoughts and feelings through a monologue.
• 🔑 Dramatic monologues reveal the speaker's personal feelings and experiences through their speech, making it a distinct poetic form.

Q & A

What is the origin of the word 'monologue'?

The word 'monologue' is derived from the Greek word 'monologos,' which combines 'mono' (meaning single or alone) and 'logos' (meaning speech).

Who coined the term 'dramatic monologue'?

The term 'dramatic monologue' was coined by Victorian poet Robert Browning in the 19th century.

How is a dramatic monologue different from other types of poems?

A dramatic monologue differs from other poems because it involves a single speaker (a character created by the poet) who delivers a speech to an imagined listener, rather than the poet speaking directly.

What is the definition of a dramatic monologue?

A dramatic monologue is a type of poem in which a single person, not the poet, speaks, often to an imagined listener, and reveals their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

What are the key characteristics of a dramatic monologue?

The key characteristics of a dramatic monologue are: (1) a single speaker who expresses their thoughts and feelings, (2) a narrative style in which the speaker recounts their experiences, and (3) the speaker addresses a silent, often imaginary listener.

What is the role of the speaker in a dramatic monologue?

The speaker in a dramatic monologue is a character created by the poet who expresses their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, often addressing a silent listener.

Can you provide an example of a dramatic monologue?

An example of a dramatic monologue is 'My Last Duchess' by Robert Browning, where a Duke discusses a portrait of his late wife with a visitor.

What is the speaker discussing in 'My Last Duchess' by Robert Browning?

In 'My Last Duchess,' the speaker, a Duke, is discussing the portrait and the death of his late wife with a visitor.

What is another famous example of a dramatic monologue?

Another famous example of a dramatic monologue is 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock' by T.S. Eliot, where the character J. Alfred Prufrock reveals his innermost thoughts and feelings.

What makes 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock' a dramatic monologue?

It is considered a dramatic monologue because the speaker, J. Alfred Prufrock, delivers a monologue that reveals his innermost thoughts and feelings, addressing an imagined listener.