The Patriot Analysis

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!

II

The air broke into a mist with bells,
The old walls rocked with the crowds and cries.
Had I said, "Good folks, 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 Brescia, and thus I go!
In such triumphs, people have dropped down dead.
"Thou, paid by the World,—what dost thou owe
Me?" God might have questioned; but now instead
'Tis God shall requite! I am safer so.

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The patriot is a representation of the fickle nature of public opinion. Browning represents the idea of naivity and the influenced morals of society. He represents the idea of politics influencing opinion and how perseption is irrelevent as it is misguided. The patriot is not hesitating his fate and doesnt seem to fight it, this mirrors the idea of Brownings era, people new they could not opose the state of society and accepted the ever changing view of morality.

| Posted on 2009-05-19 | by a guest

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The patriot, shows the fragile state of moral and public opinion. It represents the fickle nature of Brownings era and how judgements are naive. The patriot has accepted his fate and doesnt show any fight against his punishment. This mirrors the idea of this era and the submission to power and its opinion.

| Posted on 2009-05-19 | by a guest

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The Patriot is a dramatic monologue typical to Browning's other monologues in which the significant event has already taken place before the narrative is told. The protagonist named in the title as 'The Patriot' reminisces of a time when he walked through streets of roses and myrtle (a weed that villagers would have has access to) which were thrown in his path in a celebratory fashion after he has returned from a war. The places described show a significant change in setting, the poem begins retrospectively looking back at a village square or street and then to the scene of the patriot's death where we presume he is to be stoned to death for committing some sort of traitorous deed, or perhaps no longer sharing the correct ideals as the current leaders of state. The narrative finally shifts to him being judged at Gods gates. The entire poem sums up the absolute pointlessness of war and how such a respectable character can fall from grace within the short time of a year as well as the seemingly easy transition from hero to villain.

| Posted on 2009-05-13 | by a guest

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The poem depicts the return of a soldier returning from the war. We learn that a year later the public are led to believe he is a traitor due to some political turmoil, reflecting the naivety and malleability of those at home. Striking a similarity with Wilfred Owens 'Disabled'... "some cheer him home but not as crowds cheer goal" Browning fails to specify a time or place, suggesting the poems universal applicability to the futility of war.

| Posted on 2009-05-08 | by a guest

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It is a poem of reward and punishment, the soldier returned home after the war and had a magnificent welcome however time passed and things changes and people are now convinced he is a traitor and they turn their backs on him at the end of the poem he believes he is safer with God then he ever will be on this rock.

| Posted on 2009-04-04 | by a guest

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It is a poem about how a soldier gains victory and the cheer of the public but just after a year they turn their back on him, as they are led to believe he is a traitor. Perhaps Browning is trying to show the publics naiveness and gullibilty. However no strong emtoions of anger and hatred are sensed which may suggest that the soldier has accepted his fate and will leave the rest to God, as he may feel that he cannot change their opinion of him.

| Posted on 2009-02-15 | by a guest

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Patriot into Traitor" is also a dramatic monologue by Robert Browning. Browning's monologues have been introduced a new conversational strength to English poetry. In this poem, the poet has drawn a contemporary political scene with its turmoil and treacheries. Change of Government by coups and take-over is common in third countries. The poem is a speech delivered by a political leader who was considering a hero yesterday but due to an unfortunate political disturbance he has been branded a traitor. He was honoured and cheered by the people only a year ago.
His supporters were ready to sacrifice every thing for their beloved leader. But now they condemned him and are prepared to stone him to death. His tragic down-fall is pitiable. However, he waits for the final judgement of God and hopes to be rewarded for his good deeds. This lends an optimistic note to the poem. The poem is a fine example of a dramatic monologue.

| Posted on 2009-02-10 | by a guest

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The poem is about the return of a patriot after war. Such a warm welcome he did receive. Yet time passed by, things changed, respect and honour were defeated by the ignorance of the impoverished public. That is when the patriot wishes to leave this world at God's Gates.

| Posted on 2007-02-20 | by a guest