Browning as a poet of dramatic monologue. 

Answer

 Evaluate Robert Browning as a poet of dramatic monologue. 

A dramatic monologue is a type of poem where a single speaker speaks to a silent listener. The poem is like a short speech, but we only hear the speaker’s side. The speaker shares his thoughts, feelings, and past actions. But often, we also understand things that the speaker does not say directly. In this way, a dramatic monologue shows the personality and psychology of the speaker.  

Robert Browning (1812-1889) is one of the best poets of dramatic monologue in English literature. His monologues are full of deep feelings and provide a deep psychology of the speakers. His speakers are real people from history or art, and each has a special story to tell. Let us now look at how Browning uses dramatic monologue in his major poems. 

“My Last Duchess”: In this dramatic monologue, the Duke of Ferrara is speaking to a guest who has come to arrange his new marriage. While talking, he shows a painting of his last Duchess (his dead wife). He talks about her smiling too much at everyone. Slowly, we understand that the duke is proud, jealous, cruel, and controlling. He says:

“I gave commands;

Then all smiles stopped together.”

This means he may have killed his wife. The poem shows his controlling nature, though he never says it clearly. The silent listener here is the guest. The poem is a perfect example of a dramatic monologue because it reveals the duke’s mind through his speech.

“Fra Lippo Lippi”: In this poem, a real historical painter, Fra Lippo, speaks to some nightguards. He talks freely about his life, the Church, and art. Though he is also a monk, he says he likes to enjoy life. He meets secretly with ladies. From his speech, we learn that the Church wants him to paint only religious pictures. But he wants to paint real people and real life. He says:

“Can’t I take breath and try to add life’s

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