Dramatic Monologue - GCSE English Literature Definition

What is a dramatic monologue?

In GCSE English Literature, a dramatic monologue is a poem where the poet adopts a character who speaks to an unseen listener. 

Why do writers use dramatic monologues?

Poets use the dramatic monologue form to portray the inner thoughts of a fictional or historic character. It can be used to reveal the character’s personality, motivations, desires or internal conflict. It creates a level of intimacy between the speaker and the reader/audience. 

Examples of dramatic monologues

The poem ‘My Last Duchess’ is a dramatic monologue written by the Victorian poet, Robert Browning in 1842. The Duke of Ferrara is the speaker of the poem, who informs the reader that he is entertaining someone who has come to negotiate the Duke’s marriage to the daughter of a powerful family. Browning uses the form of a dramatic monologue to portray the Duke’s perspective solely from his point of view, in order to depict the character’s power and dominance.

Similarly, the poem ‘Hawk Roosting', written by the British poet Ted Hughes, is a dramatic monologue from the viewpoint of a hawk. The poem explores the hawk’s ruthless nature and its indifference to the passing of time. 

Revision resources to ace your exams

Learn how to explore a writer’s use of dramatic monologues, including how to incorporate analysis of dramatic monologues into your essays, by using our detailed GCSE revision notes.

GCSE English Literature Revision Notes 

For more literary techniques, check out our list of 127 top literary devices, complete with student-friendly definitions.