Tone and attitude of the poet in “The Patriot”.

Tone and attitude of the poet in “The Patriot”.

Robert Browning’s (1812-89) poem “The Patriot” (1855) is a dramatic monologue. It tells the story of a man who once enjoyed fame and glory but now faces rejection and punishment. The poem reflects the changing nature of human loyalty and the hope for divine justice. Browning uses tone and attitude to show the speaker’s journey from pride to humility.

Tone: From Celebration to Sorrow: The tone of the poem changes as the story develops. In the beginning, it is joyful. The speaker recalls how people celebrated him with roses and cheers. The lively tone shows his past glory and happiness. However, as the poem progresses, the tone becomes sorrowful and reflective. The speaker is now insulted, walking to his death. Words like “stones” and “bleeds” show his pain and suffering. The tone reflects his fall from grace and his acceptance of his fate.

Attitude: Acceptance and Faith: The poet’s attitude is sympathetic toward the speaker. The speaker feels betrayed by the people but does not show anger. Instead, he accepts his punishment calmly. He believes that while humans have failed him, God will not. In the final lines, his faith in divine justice gives him peace. This attitude of hope and trust contrasts with the cruelty of the crowd.

Browning’s tone and attitude make “The Patriot” a powerful poem. It shows how fame is temporary, but faith in God gives strength.