Dramatic Monologue

The dramatic monologue is not strictly a dramatic art form, but it is a poetic form. It is cast in the form of speech addressed to a silent listener. The purpose of dramatic monologue is to reveal the 'inner man'. Its aim is character study or "psycho-analysis" without the other dramatic adjuncts of incidents and dialogues. The setting of such poem is dramatic. As the poem begins, we find the main character reveals us many secrets or hints about something he would not say consciously. The character is revealed by means of ironic discrepancy so that the reader is made to make their own judgement about the character's real characteristic.
Dramatic monologue, aside and soliloquy are all literary counterparts. It courts comparison with the soliloquy, but it is actually quite different because it is addressed to a passive listener, whose reaction to what is being said is hinted at by the speaker. Soliloquy is not supposed to be heard, the dramatic monologue is meant to be.
Dramatic monologue found particular favour with Browning, who may be called its chief exponent, though Tennyson also used it with masterly skill as in "Ulysses" and "Tithonus". Browning, used this technique most effectively in his poem "My Last Duchess" and "Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister". His poem "My Last Duchess" is a reflective poem in contemplation. Some other examples of dramatic monologue are T.S. Eliot's  "The Love Song of J.Alfred", and Ai's " Killing Floor".
It is a drama poetry and philosophy all rolled into one.

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