Question

Which of the following elements in a literary selection would help identify a passage as a dramatic monologue rather than another genre of fiction? written in poetic style? only the narrator speaks? focuses on human nature? has a fully developed plot?

Answer 1

A passage can be identified as a dramatic monologue only when the narrator speaks.

Explanation:

A dramatic monologue is a poem that is written in a dramatic style where the poet creates a character called the persona who narrates the entire poem to a silent and passive listener. Since the narration is just like a monologue in a drama where only the narrator is speaking so this kind of poetry is classified as a Dramatic Monologue.

The Victorian poets greatly specialized in this kind of poetry, Robert Browning being the most popular. His ‘My Last Duchess’ is the most striking example of a dramatic monologue.