The monologue has been one of the most effective tools of expression that have been used over a period of time, by a number of poets, playwrights and writers. The Victorian period is by far the golden period in this regard. This period saw the rise of several litterateurs who used this wonderful tool for churning out classics, which continue to enthrall the readers, even till this date. The period saw some great works and this tool has been very much instrumental in doing so.

These days, however, the monologue has been reduced to long witless speeches, which fail to create the desired impact. As the audience/reader is exposed to far advanced means of entertainment, the viewer/reader does not actually have the patience to go through a monologue. However, this does not definitely mean that the monologue is dead. In fact, it is very much there; although in a completely different form. As it is, television and movies often use it as well.

In any case, a lot of wit, patience as well as writing skills are required, to get a good monologue. However, before you start writing your work, one of the most important things would be to go through the works of literary geniuses. This would help you a lot in writing an interesting monologue. The following are some of the major aspects, in this regard:

1. Choose a few eminent works of this form and thereafter go through them in the perspective of the entire plot. Reading the entire passage on its own, without reading it in context to the entire plot, would not be very effective. This would help you discover the characters involved along with the various subject of the plots, with the help of the monologue.

2. You can also check out the internet for a wide range of collection of great authors, writers and playwrights. However, while you are doing so, you must be clear, as to whether you are focusing on the works of classical writers or the contemporary writers. This is because, if you mix up both, then it would be quite difficult for you to generate a good literary work. Although some people have effectively used composition of both the classical, as well as contemporary styles, the transition was not so smooth.

3. Another thing that you can do is to watch more and more of the plays. This would give you an idea, as to the reaction of the audience in regard to a particular monologue statement. This would further help you in doing your work.

As it is, the above mentioned ways can prove to be helpful in writing a good work.

A monologue refers to a long statement or speech, in a story, play, or poem. It is a wonderful tool of expression, wherein, the audience gets an idea as to what is going inside the mind of a particular character. As it is, this tool has been wonderfully used by a number of writers and poets, to add zing to their artistic creations. This tool has been wonderfully exploited in the past, particularly the Victorian period, when a number of playwrights used it to their own advantage.

The monologue still continues to enthrall readers and audiences like. Although the monologue can be used to make a number of expressions, it is usually used for revealing as to what is going around in the mind of the character. This can be done with the help of a number of ways, such as association, imagery, impression, wordplays along with several other ways. It can be used for generating interest and letting the reader go deep into the character, in such a way, that the reader himself feels like the character, or that he is present at the scene.

Now, since it is such a wonderful tool, therefore, writing a monologue is not a difficult task at all. It requires a lot of patience and perseverance to get the right punch.

some of the steps, involved in writing a good monologue:

1. First of all, get to study, the works of literary greats. So, delve yourself into the writings of William Faulkner, James Joyce, as well as Joseph Heller. Go through the language and style used. Take note of the wit and other major aspects, such as vocabulary. This would help you in developing your own skills.
2. The next step involves choosing of the character. The character has to be powerful, or has an important role in the plot. It is usually interesting when the anti-hero or the villain speaks. People are usually curious to know, as to how the villain plans to corner the hero.
3. The next step involves selection of the situation of the monologue. The situation is very important. This is because, if the situation is not appropriate, then it would seem that the monologue has been thrust upon unnecessarily on the plot. Now, select the backdrop, which matches the situation.
4. Once you have done so, its time for you, to draft the monologue. For this, you will have to go for several rewrites. Start with the initial draft. Write it down and then review it after some time. Edit it, to get a finer text. Add more wit to it, if possible. Repeat this process for a number of times.

As it is, the last step would take a lot of time and this should not irritate you. Besides; the higher the number of reviews, the better is your monologue.

The Victorian era is known as a period of prosperity and development for the British Empire. The period was marked by industrial development, rise of a larger stronger, as well as more educated middle class.

The era was preceded by the Georgian period and succeeded by the Edwardian period. A major feature of the Victorian period however has been the development in the field of art and culture. This period is characterized by intense and prolific adventurism in the field of literature, especially by novelists and poets. Dramatic monologue played a very vital role in their literary escapades. As it is many great poets and writers flourished during this period and churned out many great works, which form the syllabus of many courses till date. An important name in this list of great poets is that of Robert Browning.

Robert Browning was born on 7 May 1812. He was an English poet and playwright par excellence. His expertise over dramatic monologue has made him one of the most widely remembered poets of the Victorian age.

Browning road to fame, was mainly due to his works in regard to dramatic monologue, where the words are used not only for expressing the background, but also give an insight into the character of the speaker.  What makes the works of Browning so ever distinct is the clever use of words, which lingers in the minds of the reader. A major feature of dramatic monologues of Browning is not what the speaker directly conveys about himself, but what he indirectly conveys about himself/ her self in the process of explanations of his/her past actions.

Instead of thinking out aloud, which is a common feature of the monologues; the character explicitly puts up a range of actions, which he committed, sometimes with a rationalization, often as a sort of challenge for the reader to see through. Interestingly, most of the works of Browning revolved around extreme characters, which many a time seemed to be on the verge of criminally psychotic characterization. One of his most remarkable dramatic monologues has been Porphyria’s Lover. The reader is completely caught up, right from the opening lines, which provide an ominous backdrop for the ghoulish events that follow. As it becomes clear to the reader that the speaker is completely out of mind, as he strangles his object of love, with her own hair, in order to preserve forever, her beauty and each and every act of perfect love, which she has showered on him.

His death on 12 December 1889 brought an end to a long and illustrious career. However, despite his death, his magnificent contribution to the world of literature continues to fascinate us till date.

The period between June 1837 to January 1901 is known as the Victorian era or the Victorian period, as it was the period when Queen Victoria ruled the British Empire. This period is characterized by intense and prolific adventurism in the field of literature, especially by novelists and poets.
Dramatic monologue played a very vital role in their literary escapades. Monologues can be sarcastic, as well as used to express angst, lust and love, apart from several other feelings and is an effective way in adding charm to a play.

Although there are several examples of Dramatic monologue, which can be quoted in this context, yet My Last Duchess remains a classic as well as the most famous example of dramatic monologue. A highly acclaimed 1842 poem by Robert Browning, My last Duchess remains one of the finest pieces of work till date.

As it is, I would like to quote a few lines from this masterpiece.

“That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall,
Looking as if she were alive. I call
That piece a wonder, now: Frà Pandolf’s hands
Worked busily a day, and there she stands.
Will ‘t please you sit and look at her? I said
‘Frà Pandolf’ by design, for never read
Strangers like you that pictured countenance,
The depth and passion of its earnest glance,
But to myself they turned (since none puts by
The curtain I have drawn for you, but I)
And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst,
How such a glance came there; so, not the first
Are you to turn and ask thus.”

The background setting of this wonderful masterpiece called My Last Duchess is the palace of the Duke of Ferrara on a day in October 1564. Ferrara is a region in northern Italy and is located between Bologna and Padua, on a tributary of the River Po. Upstairs at his palace, the Duke displays the portrait of his late wife (who died in 1561) to a representative of the Count of Tyrol, who is an Austrian nobleman. The duke has plans of marrying the count’s daughter after negotiations in regard to a handsome dowry from the count are over.

Along with the portrait, the duke also indulges in discussing his relationship with the late countess as well. In the process, he reveals himself, both wittingly, as well as unwittingly as a authoritarian husband who considered his wife as a mere object, a simple possession whose solitary objective in life was to please him. At times, his comments are rather blunt and on the face, while sometimes they are restrained and vague. As we go about the monologue, we come across a number of comments which hint that he might have murdered his wife. However, the indirect and obscure language in which he camouflages these remarks does not enable us to comprehend an open confession.

Poetry has been one of the strongest forms of expressions in literature. As it is, it has been present since the ancient times and is expected to continue its stride, in future as well. From ancient works, like the Indian Vedas (1700-1200 BC) and Zoroaster’s Gathas (1200-900 BC) to the Odyssey (800-675 BC), poetry in various forms, like epics has long been with us. With the passage of time, it has undergone several changes and evolution, in regard to styles, techniques and methods; and is there to stay, till the end of days.

Now, an epic can be referred to as a lengthy narrative poem, which is usually on a serious subject and contains details of heroic deeds and major events, which are of significance to a culture or nation. Many initial epics were in oral form and therefore, oral poetry may also qualify as an epic. In fact, geniuses like Lord and Parry have stated that classical epics were originally in oral poetic form.

As it is, epics have been written down since long. Homer, Vyasa, Virgil, Dante Alighieri and John Milton have been some of the epic writers, who penned down their works, instead of memorizing it. The first recorded epics are known as the primary, or original, epics, whereas those, which try to imitate them, are known as literary, or secondary, epics.

Another form of epic poetry is epyllion. An epyllion is a brief narrative poem, with a romantic core or a mythological theme. The term epyllion literally means little epic and it came up for use in the Nineteenth century. It usually relegates to an exotic, as well as mythological long composition. It was this form of expression, in which Ovid mastered himself and earned himself such repute. The term epyllion may also refer to some poetic works, during the period of the English Renaissance, especially those, which were typically influenced by the works of Ovid.

The very first epics were works of preliterate social structures and oral poetic traditions. Now, in these traditions, poetry used to be orally transmitted to the audience and thereby, the transmission took place from performer to performer; all by way of pure oral means.

It was the early twentieth-century study of legendary oral epic traditions in the Balkans, which came up with the findings that, oral epics tend to be constructed in short episodes of equal status, interest, as well as importance. The study was conducted by Milman Parry and Albert Lord, who demonstrated the paratactic model, which was used for composing these poems. As it is, epics play a very vital role in the culture of a society, irrespective of whether they are ancient or of modern origin.

William Wordsworth is one of the most popular literary geniuses of the modern times. Born on 7 April 1770, to John Wordsworth and Ann Cookson, William was the second of the five siblings. A major contribution of William Wordsworth is in the field of dramatic monologue. Along with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William Wordsworth, took romantic poetry to new heights, when they got their works published in a joint publication which was called Lyrical ballads, which was published in the year 1798.

However, if we talk about the magnum opus of Wordsworth, for which he shall long be remembered, then definitely, it would be The Prelude. The Prelude was a semi autobiographical piece of poetry, which was further revised and expanded by Wordsworth a number of times. The work was posthumously titled and published, prior to which it was generally known as the poem “to Coleridge”. Wordsworth was highly regarded and was England’s Poet Laureate from 1843 until his death in 1850.

Born in Cocker mouth, which is part of the scenic region in north-west England, i.e. the Lake District, Wordsworth, was to become one of the greatest poets of all times. His sister, Dorothy Wordsworth who herself was a poet and diarist, was a very important pillar of strength for all his life, giving him support in turbulent times.

With a number of works under his belt, Wordsworth became an important name to reckon with. He played a very important role in exploiting the vast potential offered by dramatic monologue. While many of his contemporaries’ paid little attention to this wonderful mode of expression.

As it is, dramatic monologue can be defined as a poetic expression in the form of a long speech, usually directed towards a silent audience. Peppered with lust, angst, love hatred or sarcasm, these magnificent pieces of literary brilliances often gave an insight into the main plot around which the entire play revolves.

Wordsworth for years made plans to write a long philosophical poem in three parts, which he intended to call The Recluse. He had in 1798-99 started an autobiographical poem, which he never named but called the Poem to Coleridge. This particular piece of work was instrumental in forking the appendix to The Recluse. In the year 1804 he began to focus on his autobiographical work, after he decided to go with a prologue rather than an appendix to the more magnificent piece of work, which he intended to do. The work was completed by the year 1805; however, he refused to publish such a personal work until he had completed the whole of The Recluse. The death of his brother, John, in 1805 affected him strongly.

William Wordsworth would be remembered as one of the most famous of all the literary geniuses of all times.

A monologue is an expressive speech, which is usually directed towards a silent audience. It is an expressive style, aptly exploited during the Victorian ages. In case of poetry, dramatic monologue refers to a persona poem. It is quite similar to a theatrical monologue. It is characterized by an implied audience, lack of dialogue, as well as a poet speaking through an assumed voice, which can be a fictional or historical identity, or a persona. Now, since, a dramatic monologue is one person’s speech, it is usually not accompanied by any explicit scrutiny or annotations; and places emphasis on subjective qualities that are left to the audience to interpret.

Though this style of literary expression has been used in many ancient Greek dramas, yet the dramatic monologue as a poetic expression achieved its due recognition in the Victorian age, when poets like Robert Browning used this style effectively, to churn out great pieces of literature, like the world famous work, My Last Duchess. It was on the basis of the works of Robert browning, that subsequent poets were able to utilize this form and came up with some brilliant works.

Although Robert Browning was a genius, the world took some time to realize his genius. A major feature of his works is that, his monologues would interconnect the elements of the speaker, as well as the audience with such dexterity, and that the reader seems to feel like he/she is actually part of the happening. The effect of the works of Robert Browning was also evident in the literary pieces of poets like T.S. Eliot and Ezra pound. In fact, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock is one of the greatest examples of deft handling of dramatic monologue.

LET us go then, you and I,
When the evening is spread out against the sky
Like a patient etherized upon a table;
Let us go, through certain half-deserted streets,
The muttering retreats
Of restless nights in one-night cheap hotels
And sawdust restaurants with oyster-shells:
Streets that follow like a tedious argument
Of insidious intent
To lead you to an overwhelming question …
Oh, do not ask, “What is it?”
Let us go and make our visit.
In the room the women come and go
Talking of Michelangelo.
The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes,
The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes
Licked its tongue into the corners of the evening,
Lingered upon the pools that stand in drains,
Let fall upon its back the soot that falls from chimneys,
Slipped by the terrace, made a sudden leap,
And seeing that it was a soft October night,
Curled once about the house, and fell asleep.

Dramatic Monologue is a twin edged sword and therefore, requires deft handling.  Any amateurish attempt would draw a lot of flak and hence those who created magic with this form have been raised to cult status.

English Renaissance refers to the period from the early sixteenth century to the early seventeenth century, which marked a period of, cultural and artistic movement in England. It is often linked with the pan-European Renaissance, which according to many historians began in northern Italy during the fourteenth century.

However, the English Renaissance is quite different, when compared with the Italian Renaissance. The most prominent difference is the usage of dominant forms of art, which were prevalent during the English Renaissance period. This is quite evident, in terms of literature, music, as well as the Visual arts, which were much lesser significant than in the period of the Italian Renaissance.

English Renaissance Theatre refers to the English drama works, which were written during Reformation and the closure of the theatres in 1642. It is also addressed as Early Modern English Theatre. This period in English cultural history is many a time addressed as the Shakespeare age, or the Elizabethan period. It was during this period that poets like John Milton and Edmund Spenser churned out great works that exhibited a renewed interest in perceptive English Christian beliefs.

English Renaissance Theatre is occasionally referred to as the Elizabethan Theatre. The term however, covers only the plays which were written and played publicly in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. As it is, Elizabethan Theatre is quite distinct from Jacobean theatre, which was linked to the reign of King James I. A major contributor to the development of theatre during this period has been the establishment of large and profitable public theatres, which played a vital role in enabling the success of English Renaissance drama. As it is, once they were in full force, drama soon emerged as a permanent and everlasting phenomenon.

Renaissance theatre derived ideas from several sources, such as various medieval theatre traditions, like the mystery plays. These mystery plays were an eternal part of the religious festivals in England, as well as other parts of Europe, especially during the middle Ages. These plays were intricate renditions of legends based on biblical themes and were originally performed in churches.

However, later on they became more linked to the celebrations that marked the festive spirit of various religious festivals. Other sources from where the theatres drew inspiration include the morality plays. These plays developed out of the mysteries, as well as the dramas based on Greek tragedy. Along with that, the Italian tradition of Commedia dell’arte, along with the intricate costumes, which were often presented at court, played a major role in the shaping up of public theatre in England.

The period from the early sixteenth century to the early seventeenth century, is also known as the period of English Renaissance, which referred to a cultural and artistic movement in England during this period. It is often linked with the pan-European Renaissance, which according to many historians began in northern Italy during the fourteenth century.

This period in English cultural history is many a time addressed as the Shakespeare age, or the Elizabethan period. It was during this period that poets like John Milton and Edmund Spenser churned out great works that exhibited a renewed interest in perceptive English Christian beliefs. These included the figurative depiction of the Tudor Dynasty in The Faerie Queen. It was near the end of the Tudor Dynasty, when great philosophers like Sir Francis Bacon came up with their individual views in regard to humanity, as well as the inherent aspects of a perfect social structure, thereby pushing the limits of human cognitive process at that time.

The poignant tale of the fall of mankind from paradise, as depicted in Paradise Lost, made Milton come out with his genius in the very true sense of the word. The English renaissance is incomplete without the mention of great playwrights, like Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare, who composed theatrical manifestations of the English perception in regard to life, death, and history. Thus, in this period, England came much closer to reach out to modern scientific methods with the help of the Baconian Method.

The English Renaissance is quite different, when compared with the Italian Renaissance. The first and the most prominent difference is in regard to the dominant forms of art, which were prevalent during the English Renaissance period. This is quite evident, in terms of literature, music, as well as the Visual arts, which were much lesser significant than in the period of the Italian Renaissance.

The English period arrived much later than the Italian. As it is, the Italian period is very much associated with Dante, Petrarch and Giotto in the earlier parts of the fourteenth century. As compared to this, the English Renaissance can be said to have gained roots, only in the 1520s, and continued its stride for a hundred years or so.

It is said to be the bloody Wars of the Roses that made it possible to think of art and luxury in the same breath as the toll to the Gothic on the way. The Renaissance that came into England made a deep impact in the cultural experimentations and revival of England. It helped England to come up of age, from a mere colonial power, to a great center of art and culture. As it is, the works of that period still continue to inspire writers painters, musicians and artists.

The Elizabethan era or the Elizabethan period refers to the period of reign of Queen Elizabeth I. This period is often referred to the golden age in English history. It was during this period, that England saw tremendous development in several fields. As it is, the English Renaissance scaled new heights and saw the blooming of English poetry and literature, the fragrance of which continues to enthrall us till date.

This period can also be marked as the time during which a particular style of theatre, i.e. the Elizabethan theatre flourished. It is also an age, which marks the arrival of William Shakespeare, along with several other playwrights of great talent, who composed plays which damned the past style of plays and theatre in England. Shackles were broken and experimentation received an entirely new meaning. It was a period of exploration and expansion. As England was on its way to explore its boundaries abroad, the Protestant Reformation back at home, slowly began to creep into the minds of all the people.

A major reason for the perception of the Elizabethan Age, in such high regards, is its contrasting differences with the preceding, as well as upcoming periods. It is more or less considered to be a brief period of internal peace in between the English Reformation, as well as  the conflicts between the monarchy and the parliament, apart from clashes between the Catholics and the Protestants, which marked the seventeenth century.

One of the most remarkable achievements of this period was the settlement of the divide between the Protestant and the Catholics. As part of the Elizabethan Religious Settlement, this marked a great achievement of this period. Also, England was also far better off as compared to the other nations in Europe. The Italian Renaissance was in its death bed and a great period of development was about to end under the weight of foreign domination that was part of the peninsula.

France was involved in its own religious battles, which were later on settled in 1598 with the Edict of Nantes. This was perhaps the most important reason, if not the only reason, for the suspension of the centuries long conflict between France and England. Another reason for this temporary period of peace was the fact that the English had been expelled from their last outposts on the continent.

The Elizabethan period was indeed a period, which would hold a vital post, not just in terms of history of England, but in terms of world history as well. During this period England had a well-organized, centralized, as well as effective government, which was largely a result of the reforms carried out by Henry VII and Henry VIII.