The Patriot
AN OLD STORY.
I.
It was roses, roses, all the way,
With myrtle mixed in my path like mad:
The house-roofs seemed to heave and sway,
The church-spires flamed, such flags they had,
A year ago on this very day.
- The air broke into a mist with bells,
The old walls rocked with the crowd and cries.
Had I said, “Good folk, mere noise repels—
But give me your sun from yonder skies!”
They had answered, “And afterward, what else?”III.
- Alack, it was I who leaped at the sun
To give it my loving friends to keep!
Nought man could do, have I left undone:
And you see my harvest, what I reap
This very day, now a year is run.IV.
- There’s nobody on the house-tops now—
Just a palsied few at the windows set;
For the best of the sight is, all allow,
At the Shambles’ Gate—or, better yet,
By the very scaffold’s foot, I trow.V.
- I go in the rain, and, more than needs,
A rope cuts both my wrists behind;
And I think, by the feel, my forehead bleeds,
For they fling, whoever has a mind,
Stones at me for my year’s misdeeds.VI.
- Thus I entered, and thus I go!
In triumphs, people have dropped down dead.
Paid by the world, what dost thou owe
Me?—God might question; now instead,
‘Tis God shall repay: I am safer so.
Summary of The Patriot
- Popularity of “The Patriot” The dramatic monologue ‘The Patriot,’ written by Robert Browning, remains unparalleled in its popularity. It first appeared in 1855, though it was not part of the collection “Men and Women.” The poem’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to portray the tumultuous fate of a political leader who believes himself a patriot but meets an unexpected downfall.
- “The Patriot” as a Representative of Political Fate The poem embodies the representation of political destiny. A hero of the past transforms into a rebel and traitor in the present and this universal truth is mirrored in many contemporary political landscapes. The poem invites imagination, offering a poignant portrayal of a leader reflecting on his past glory—a time of heroic reception, showered with roses and myrtles. This contrasts sharply with his present predicament and is carried towards execution, hands bound, and wrists cut by rope in the pouring rain. His final thoughts center on the notion that God will ultimately judge and repay, finding solace in divine justice.
- Major Themes in “The Patriot” Political upheaval, public memory, and mob psychology are central to this poem. The speaker reflects on a time when he commanded immense loyalty, seemingly capable of eliciting any response from the public. The sudden shift in fortune—the same people now throwing stones—highlights the fickle nature of public opinion. The poem illustrates how quickly a celebrated figure can be vilified, demonstrating the fleeting nature of public memory and the tendency of crowds to embrace popular slogans rather than recognizing the contributions of the past.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in The Patriot
Literary devices are essential tools used in writing to enhance beauty and meaning. The analysis of these devices in the poem is provided below.
- Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within lines. For example, the repetition of the short ‘o’ sound in “It was roses, roses, all the way” and the ‘a’ sound in “The church-spires flamed, such flags they had.” This creates a musicality that draws the reader in.
- Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of successive words, as seen in “myrtle mixed.” This adds emphasis and rhythm to the lines.
- Anaphora: The poem utilizes anaphora, the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, notably with “Thus I…” in the final stanza: “Thus I entered, and thus I go!” This emphasizes the cyclical nature of the speaker’s journey—from triumph to execution.
- Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within lines, such as the ‘l’ and ‘r’ sounds in “The church-spires flamed, such flags they had.” It enhances the texture and sonic quality of the poem.
- Enjambment: Enjambment occurs when a thought or phrase continues from one line to the next without punctuation. For example:
Alack, it was I who leaped at the sun
To give it my loving friends to keep!
Nought man could do, have I left undone:
And you see my harvest, what I reap
This very day, now a year is run.This creates a sense of flow and momentum, mirroring the speaker’s rapid descent from power.
- Imagery: Browning utilizes vivid imagery to engage the reader’s senses. Examples include “Just a palsied few at the windows set,” “A rope cuts both my wrists behind,” and “Alack, it was I who leaped at the sun.” These images create a powerful and visceral experience for the reader.
- Juxtaposition: The poem employs juxtaposition—the placement of contrasting ideas side-by-side—to highlight the speaker’s changing fortunes. The contrast between the celebratory atmosphere of the past and the grim reality of the present is particularly striking. The poem’s opening stanzas filled with roses and myrtles are sharply contrasted with the final stanzas detailing rain, ropes, and stones.
- Metaphor: Metaphor is used to create implied comparisons. For example, “The air broke into a mist with bells” is a metaphorical description of the celebratory atmosphere, suggesting that the air itself is filled with joy and excitement.
- Personification: The poet personifies inanimate objects, giving them human qualities. The air and old walls are described as if they have life and emotions. This adds depth and emotional resonance to the poem.
- Rhetorical Question: A rhetorical question is posed for effect rather than to elicit an answer. The line “Paid by the world, what dost thou owe Me?” is a rhetorical question that emphasizes the speaker’s sense of injustice and betrayal.
- Symbolism: The poem employs symbolism to convey deeper meaning. The roses and myrtles symbolize joy, celebration, and adoration. The flames symbolize passion and enthusiasm. The silence symbolizes loss and despair.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows an ABABC rhyme scheme throughout. This consistent rhyme scheme creates a sense of order and predictability, which contrasts with the chaos of the speaker’s situation.
- Stanza: A stanza is a group of lines forming a unit within a poem. This poem consists of six stanzas, each containing five lines. This structure contributes to the poem’s overall rhythm and flow.
Quotes to be Used
The following lines from “The Patriot” are relevant when discussing political instability and shifting public opinion in a Political Science class.
Alack, it was I who leaped at the sun
To give it my loving friends to keep!
Nought man could do, have I left undone:
And you see my harvest, what I reap
This very day, now a year is run.
This passage effectively captures the speaker’s disillusionment and the tragic consequences of political betrayal.