Dramatic monologue
A poetic form in which a single speaker addresses an implied listener or audience, often revealing character through their own words. The speaker is usually not the poet; the form creates dramatic effect through character revelation rather than direct authorial statement.
Real World
In Robert Browning's 'My Last Duchess,' the Duke casually reveals to an envoy that he had his previous wife killed, exposing his chilling possessiveness through what he believes is polite conversation.
Exam Focus
Focus on the gap between what the speaker intends to reveal and what they actually reveal — this irony earns top AO2 marks.
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