A dramatic monologue is a poem in which a single character, the speaker, addresses an implied listener. The speaker may be a real or fictional person, and the poem may be written in any style or form.
Dramatic monologues often explore the inner thoughts and feelings of the speaker, and they can be used to create a sense of intimacy and immediacy between the speaker and the reader. Some of the most famous dramatic monologues include "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning, "The Lady of Shalott" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot.
Here are some of the characteristics of dramatic monologues:
- The poem is spoken by a single character.
- The character is addressing an implied listener.
- The poem may be written in any style or form.
- The poem often explores the inner thoughts and feelings of the speaker.
- The poem creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy between the speaker and the reader.
Dramatic monologues can be used to great effect to explore complex characters and themes. They can also be used to create a sense of atmosphere and to evoke a strong emotional response from the reader.