The Patriot Analysis - Literary devices and Poetic devices

Welcome, fellow explorers of literature, to a journey into the heart of Robert Browning’s profound poem, “The Patriot.” This dramatic monologue offers a timeless reflection on the fleeting nature of public adoration and the harsh realities of political life. Prepare to delve into its intricate layers, uncover its powerful messages, and appreciate the masterful artistry of Browning.

The Patriot

By Robert Browning

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.

The Patriot Summary: A Swift Fall from Grace

“The Patriot,” a powerful dramatic monologue by Robert Browning, first published in 1855, offers a poignant exploration of political fortune and the fickle nature of public opinion. The poem presents a speaker, once a celebrated leader, reflecting on his dramatic downfall. Just one year prior, he was hailed as a hero, showered with roses and myrtle, greeted by cheering crowds and ringing bells. His every wish seemed to be the public’s command, as he recalls, “Had I said, ‘Good folk, mere noise repels— / But give me your sun from yonder skies!’ / They had answered, ‘And afterward, what else?'”

However, the poem quickly reveals a stark contrast. The same people who once adored him now lead him to execution. He is paraded through the streets, not with flowers, but with a rope cutting his wrists, stones flung at him, and his forehead bleeding. The once-packed rooftops are now empty, save for a “palsied few,” with the main spectacle awaiting at the “Shambles’ Gate” or the “scaffold’s foot.” This sudden reversal of fortune highlights the central idea of the poem: the extreme volatility of public sentiment and the swift transition from hero worship to vilification. The speaker finds a grim solace in the belief that divine justice will ultimately prevail, concluding, “‘Tis God shall repay: I am safer so.” This profound narrative makes “The Patriot” a timeless piece for understanding the dynamics of leadership and public perception.

In-Depth Analysis of The Patriot

Robert Browning’s “The Patriot” stands as a masterful example of a dramatic monologue, a form where a single speaker addresses a silent listener, revealing their character and situation. The poem’s structure and narrative arc are crucial to its impact, illustrating a complete reversal of fortune within a single year.

The Narrative Arc: From Triumph to Tragedy

The poem is structured into six stanzas, each five lines long, meticulously charting the speaker’s journey from the pinnacle of popularity to the depths of public scorn. The opening stanzas vividly depict a scene of overwhelming adoration:

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.

This imagery establishes the speaker’s past glory, a time when he was celebrated with fervent enthusiasm. He even boasts of his influence, suggesting he could have asked for the sun itself, and the crowd would have complied. Yet, this glorious past is immediately contrasted with his grim present. The shift is stark, moving from the celebratory “roses, roses, all the way” to the somber reality of his execution.

Major Themes in The Patriot

The poem explores several profound themes that resonate across time and cultures.

The Fickle Nature of Public Opinion: This is perhaps the most prominent theme. The poem powerfully demonstrates how quickly public adoration can turn into hatred. The very people who once cheered the speaker now condemn him. This rapid shift is encapsulated in the contrast between the first stanza’s “roses, roses, all the way” and the fifth stanza’s “Stones at me for my year’s misdeeds.” The poem serves as a cautionary tale about relying on popular acclaim.
Political Upheaval and Betrayal: The speaker, who believed he “leaped at the sun / To give it my loving friends to keep,” now faces execution for unspecified “misdeeds.” This suggests a political climate where leaders can be swiftly overthrown and branded as traitors, regardless of their past contributions or intentions. The poem hints at the inherent instability of political power and the potential for betrayal by those once considered allies.
Mob Psychology: Browning masterfully portrays the irrationality and impulsiveness of crowds. The masses are depicted as easily swayed, moving from ecstatic praise to violent condemnation without apparent reason. Their actions are driven by emotion rather than reasoned judgment, highlighting the dangers of mob mentality.
Divine Justice vs. Earthly Injustice: In his final moments, the speaker finds solace in the idea of divine retribution. He questions the world’s judgment, “Paid by the world, what dost thou owe / Me?” and concludes that “’Tis God shall repay: I am safer so.” This suggests a belief that while earthly justice may be flawed and cruel, a higher, more equitable judgment awaits, offering a degree of peace amidst his suffering.

Literary and Poetic Devices in The Patriot

Browning employs a rich array of literary and poetic devices to enhance the poem’s emotional depth, rhythm, and thematic resonance. Understanding these devices is key to a comprehensive “The Patriot analysis.”

Sound Devices

Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within lines creates a musical quality. For instance, the short ‘o’ sound in “It was roses, roses, all the way” contributes to the celebratory tone of the opening. The long ‘a’ sound in “The church-spires flamed, such flags they had” adds to the vivid description of the scene.
Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of successive words adds emphasis and rhythm. “myrtle mixed” in the first stanza draws attention to the abundance of celebratory foliage.
Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within lines, not necessarily at the beginning, enriches the poem’s texture. The ‘l’ and ‘r’ sounds in “The church-spires flamed, such flags they had” create a subtle sonic harmony that underscores the visual spectacle.

Figurative Language

Imagery: Browning uses vivid sensory details to paint clear pictures in the reader’s mind, creating a powerful and visceral experience. Examples include the initial “roses, roses, all the way” and “church-spires flamed,” which evoke joy and spectacle. Later, the grim “palsied few at the windows set,” “A rope cuts both my wrists behind,” and “my forehead bleeds” create a stark, painful contrast, immersing the reader in the speaker’s suffering.
Metaphor: Implied comparisons deepen the poem’s meaning. “The air broke into a mist with bells” is a powerful metaphor, suggesting that the sheer volume and joy of the bells were so intense they transformed the very air, making the celebration almost tangible. The speaker’s claim, “Alack, it was I who leaped at the sun / To give it my loving friends to keep!” uses the sun as a metaphor for ultimate power, glory, or an impossible ideal he sought to achieve for his people.
Personification: Inanimate objects are given human qualities, adding depth and emotional resonance. “The house-roofs seemed to heave and sway” and “The old walls rocked with the crowd and cries” personify the structures, making them seem alive and responsive to the crowd’s energy, thus amplifying the sense of overwhelming public emotion.
Symbolism: Objects and actions carry deeper meanings.
- Roses and Myrtle: These flowers symbolize joy, celebration, victory, and adoration, representing the speaker’s initial triumph.
- Flags and Bells: These symbolize public festivity, national pride, and widespread acclamation.
- The Sun: Represents ultimate power, ambition, or an unattainable ideal. The speaker’s “leap at the sun” signifies his grand, perhaps hubristic, aspirations.
- Rain: The “rain” in the fifth stanza symbolizes sorrow, cleansing, and the harsh, unforgiving reality of his downfall, contrasting sharply with the sunny triumph of the past.
- Rope and Stones: These are stark symbols of punishment, humiliation, and public condemnation, representing the violent reversal of his fortunes.
Juxtaposition: The poem masterfully places contrasting ideas side-by-side to highlight the speaker’s drastic change in fortune. The celebratory opening stanzas, filled with “roses and myrtle,” are sharply contrasted with the final stanzas detailing “rain,” “rope,” and “stones.” This dramatic juxtaposition underscores the poem’s central theme of the fleeting nature of public favor.

Structural and Rhetorical Devices

Dramatic Monologue: The entire poem is a dramatic monologue, allowing the reader direct access to the speaker’s thoughts and emotions as he reflects on his past and present. This form creates intimacy and allows for a deep psychological portrayal of the character.
Rhyme Scheme: The poem consistently follows an ABABC rhyme scheme in each five-line stanza. This regular and predictable pattern provides a sense of order and musicality, which ironically contrasts with the chaotic and unjust events unfolding in the speaker’s life.
Enjambment: When a thought or phrase continues from one line to the next without punctuation, it creates a sense of flow and momentum. 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 technique mirrors the speaker’s rapid descent from power and the continuous, unstoppable nature of his fate.
Anaphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines emphasizes a point. The powerful repetition of “Thus I…” in the final stanza, “Thus I entered, and thus I go!” emphasizes the cyclical and inevitable nature of the speaker’s journey, from triumphant entry to ignominious exit.
Rhetorical Question: A question 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 underscores the speaker’s profound sense of injustice and betrayal, challenging the world’s judgment.

Through these carefully chosen literary and poetic devices, Browning crafts a narrative that is not only emotionally resonant but also intellectually stimulating, inviting readers to ponder the complexities of leadership, public perception, and justice.

The Enduring Legacy of The Patriot

“The Patriot” remains a cornerstone of English poetry, a testament to Robert Browning’s genius in capturing the human condition within a concise, powerful dramatic monologue. Its exploration of the swift and often brutal shifts in public opinion, the perils of political life, and the search for ultimate justice continues to resonate deeply. The poem serves as a timeless reminder that glory can be fleeting and that the judgment of the masses is often capricious. By examining its rich tapestry of themes and poetic devices, readers gain a profound understanding of both the poem itself and the universal truths it illuminates. Browning’s “The Patriot” is not merely an old story, but a mirror reflecting the enduring complexities of human nature and society.