What is dramatic lyric?

Dramatic lyric is a lyric poetry genre characterized by its focus on narration and drama, rather than purely lyrical expression. It tells a story or presents a monologue by a single speaker, and often employs dialogue to convey the action and emotion of the narrative. Dramatic lyrics can be highly subjective, expressing personal feelings and emotions, or more objective, reporting on external events or depicting characters and situations.

They are typically written in the first person, and often feature direct speech and soliloquies, as well as vivid descriptions, similes, and metaphors to create a sense of drama and intrigue. Dramatic lyrics commonly explore themes of love, loss, desire, and power, and they may also address political, social, or philosophical issues.

Some prominent poets known for their dramatic lyrics include William Shakespeare, Robert Browning, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and Oscar Wilde.