The Patriot by Robert Browning – Summary & Analysis

Summary

• A patriot receives a grand celebration when returning to his town a year ago
• People shower him with roses and myrtle, welcoming him as a hero
• He gives his best efforts and sacrifices for his country and people
• Within a year, public opinion changes completely
• He is now being executed, surrounded by hatred instead of love
• He accepts his death with faith that God will judge him fairly

The Patriot – Line by Line Analysis

Stanza I: The Glorious Welcome

It was roses, and 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 poem opens with the speaker remembering his arrival one year ago. He describes walking through the streets covered with roses and myrtle flowers. The image of "roses, roses, all the way" shows the overwhelming love and respect people had for him. Myrtle symbolizes purity, love, and goodness, suggesting people believed he was a good man.

The house roofs seem to move with crowds of people trying to get a glimpse of him. Church spires are decorated with colorful flags, showing religious celebration. This reveals the town is celebrating him as a great leader. The vivid imagery of moving roofs and flaming church spires creates energy and excitement. The final line tells us this was exactly one year ago, creating contrast with the present.

Stanza II: The Hero's Power

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?”

Bells ring through the air, creating a mist of sound. The old walls of the city shake from crowds and loud cries of joy. The patriot speaks to the people, saying he does not want their noise and cheers. Instead, he asks them to give him the sun from the sky. This unusual request means he wants power, glory, and immortal fame.

The people's response is significant. They ask, "What else would you want after the sun?" This shows their eagerness to give him anything he desires. However, this also reveals their thoughtlessness. They do not realize that asking for the sun is asking for the impossible. The repeated chiming of bells and roaring of crowds emphasize the intensity of celebration.

Stanza III: The Patriot's Sacrifice

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.

The speaker now reveals the truth using the word "Alack," which means "alas" or "sadly." It was not the people who leaped for the sun. Instead, it was the patriot himself who struggled and worked hard to achieve impossible things. He gave everything he had to bring glory and success to his beloved friends and country.

He says "Nought man could do have I left undone," meaning he did everything possible that any human could do. The tone shifts from joy to regret. He describes his efforts as a harvest that he now must reap or collect. The metaphor of harvest suggests that what he is experiencing now is the result of what he planted through his actions. The stanza marks the turning point from past glory to present suffering.

Stanza IV: The Lonely Execution

There’s nobody on the house-tops now—
Just a palsied few at the window set
For the best of the sight is, all allow,
At the shambles’ gate— or, better yet
By the scaffold’s very foot, I trow.

The patriot describes the present day. The house roofs are now empty. No one comes to honor him anymore. Only a few sick and weak people sit at windows, probably too ill to leave home. Even these few people are not there to support him. They gather at the Shambles Gate and near the scaffold. The Shambles Gate is where animals were butchered, suggesting the patriot is treated worse than an animal.

The scaffold is the wooden platform where he will be executed. The patriot notes that the crowd's attention has moved completely from roofs to the execution site. This dramatic shift emphasizes the change in public opinion. Where there was once celebration, there is now death. The word "palsied" means paralyzed or weak, suggesting only the weakest in society watch his death.

Stanza V: The Walk of Shame

I go in the rain, and, more than needs,
A rope cuts my wrists behind;
And I think, by the feel, of my forehead bleeds
For they fling, whoever has a mind,
Stones at me for my year’s misdeeds.

The patriot is led to his death in the rain, which adds to his suffering. His wrists are tied behind him with a rope, cutting painfully into his skin. He believes his forehead is bleeding from stones thrown at him by angry crowds. People throw rocks at him, calling these his year's misdeeds or wrongs. This physical abuse contrasts sharply with the flowers thrown at him a year ago.

The patriot accepts this treatment without complaint. He does not blame or hate the people throwing stones. This suggests he understands their anger, even if it is based on false beliefs about what he did. The rain, rope, blood, and stones create a powerful image of suffering and humiliation. Every detail emphasizes the complete reversal of his fortune.

Stanza VI: Faith in Divine Justice

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 summarizes his story by saying "Thus I entered, and thus I go!" He entered the town a year ago with glory. Now he leaves through execution and death. Some people have literally died from the shock of great changes in fortune. The patriot questions what the world could expect from him in return for what he gave it.

But instead of demanding the world's response, he turns to God. He says God might question why he owes the world anything. Instead, God will repay him for his deeds and suffering. The patriot feels "safer" with God's judgment than with the world's. He trusts that God is just and fair, and will reward his true sacrifice beyond this life. The poem ends on hope, despite the darkness of his death.

Word Notes

Myrtle: A fragrant flowering plant symbolizing love, honor, purity, and goodness.

Church spires: The pointed tops of church buildings, symbolizing hope, faith, and strength reaching toward heaven.

Scaffold: A wooden platform built high off the ground where people are executed by hanging.

Alack: An old English word meaning "alas" or expressing grief and sadness.

Palsied: Affected by palsy, meaning paralyzed, weak, or shaking with age or disease.

Shambles: A place where animals are killed and meat is sold; a butcher's place.

Leapt: Past tense of leap, meaning to jump high or to strive for something difficult.

Harvest/Reap: Words meaning to collect or gather the results of one's work; what you gain from your efforts.

Trow: An old word meaning "believe" or "think."

Triumphs: Great victories or celebrations of success.

Publication

Robert Browning published "The Patriot" in 1855 as part of his collection titled Men and Women. This collection contained fifty-one poems, all written as dramatic monologues. The poem was published in two volumes by the London publisher Chapman and Hall. At the time, Men and Women did not sell well and received mixed reviews. Critics found Browning's work difficult and unclear. However, today this collection is recognized as one of the most important works of Victorian poetry.

The collection Men and Women was Browning's first major work in five years. It came after his marriage to poet Elizabeth Barrett in 1846 and their move to Italy. While critics criticized Browning for being difficult to understand, some readers appreciated his unique style and powerful ideas. The poems in this collection explore varied subjects including history, religion, love, and human psychology.

Context

The poem was likely inspired by events in Italy during the 1840s. At that time, Italy was divided into separate kingdoms and city-states. Many Italians wanted to unify their country and free themselves from foreign domination, especially Austrian rule. During this period called the Risorgimento, or Italian unification movement, several leaders rose to power with public support, only to be later rejected or executed.

Browning and his wife Elizabeth Barrett lived in Italy for sixteen years, from 1846 until Elizabeth's death in 1861. Browning witnessed firsthand how Italian political figures faced sudden changes in fortune. The poem reflects on this universal historical pattern where leaders are celebrated and then condemned. The poem speaks to how quickly public opinion changes, especially during times of political crisis and confusion.

Setting

The poem is set in an old European town, likely in Italy based on the historical context. The setting has old stone walls and church buildings decorated with spires. The town has a historical quality, with crowded roofs and winding streets where people gather. The presence of a Shambles Gate and scaffold suggests a medieval or Renaissance European town with traditional execution grounds.

The poem moves between two time periods. The first two stanzas describe the town one year ago during the patriot's triumphant return. The atmosphere was festive, colorful, and full of life. The final stanzas move to the present day, when the same town has become the place of his death. The contrast between the setting at two different times emphasizes the dramatic change in the patriot's fortune and the town's attitude toward him.

Title

The title "The Patriot" refers to the main character and speaker of the poem. A patriot is a person who loves and serves his country. The word suggests someone who sacrifices for their nation and people. However, the poem's subtitle is "An Old Story," which suggests this is not about one person but about a repeated historical pattern. The title is somewhat ironic because the patriot is accused of being a traitor after his fall.

The title works on two levels. First, it identifies the character as someone who believed himself to be patriotic and working for his country's good. Second, it raises a question: what makes someone a true patriot? Is patriotism defined by public opinion, or by one's own actions and intentions? The poem suggests that the patriot was truly patriotic, but the people misunderstood him. The simple one-word title gives dignity to the character despite his shameful execution.

Form and Language

Browning wrote "The Patriot" as a dramatic monologue, which is his favorite literary form. A dramatic monologue is a poem where a single character speaks to an unseen listener, revealing his thoughts and feelings. The reader overhears the patriot's own account of his rise and fall. This form allows readers to understand the patriot's perspective and judge whether he deserves his punishment. The form creates emotional closeness between the reader and the character.

The language is a mixture of simple and old-fashioned words. Browning uses words like "Alack" and "trow" which are archaic or old English, giving the poem a historical feeling. This old language matches the poem's setting in the past. The speaker uses simple direct language to describe his experiences. He does not use complicated comparisons or hard words, making the poem easy to understand emotionally, though its meaning can be complex.

Browning uses vivid sensory language throughout. Readers can see the roses and church flags, hear the bells and crowds, and feel the rain and rope around the patriot's wrists. This concrete imagery makes the poem powerful and memorable. The language shifts from beautiful and bright in the early stanzas to dark and painful in the later ones. This language change mirrors the change in the patriot's fortune.

Meter and Rhyme

The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme throughout all six stanzas. Each stanza has five lines with the pattern ABABA. This means the first, third, and fifth lines rhyme with each other, while the second and fourth lines rhyme with each other. For example, in the first stanza, "way," "sway," and "day" rhyme, while "mad" and "had" rhyme. This alternating rhyme scheme creates a flowing, musical quality that readers find pleasing.

The meter is not strictly regular, but it has a general pattern. Most lines contain approximately nine syllables with four strong stresses. Browning does not follow a strict metrical foot like iambic pentameter. Instead, he varies the meter slightly to fit the meaning and emotion of each line. This flexibility allows him to emphasize certain words and create a natural speaking voice. The four stressed syllables in each line give the poem rhythm and energy without being too rigid.

Browning achieves musical quality not just through rhyme and meter, but also through sound devices. He uses alliteration, the repetition of beginning consonant sounds, in phrases like "myrtle mixed," "flamed," "flags," and "crowd and cries." He also uses assonance, the repetition of vowel sounds, in "seemed to heave." These sound devices make the poem pleasant to read aloud and create emotional effects that support the poem's meaning.

The Patriot by Robert Browning – Themes

Theme 1: Fickleness of Public Opinion

The poem's central theme is how quickly and dramatically public opinion can change. The same people who threw roses at the patriot one year ago now throw stones at him. They celebrated him as a hero, but now call him a traitor. This theme shows that public approval is unstable and unreliable. People do not judge based on actual deeds but on current emotions and political winds. The patriot's experiences teach that depending on public favor for happiness is foolish and dangerous.

Theme 2: Rise and Fall of Fortune

The poem illustrates the inevitable cycle of fortune in human life. What rises high must eventually fall. The patriot reaches the peak of glory and honor, admired by everyone in his town. Yet one year later, he faces execution. This dramatic reversal shows that earthly success is temporary and fragile. Browning suggests that nothing human-made lasts forever. Power, glory, and fame can disappear suddenly, leaving the person isolated and humiliated.

Theme 3: Patriotism and Sacrifice

The poem explores what true patriotism means. The patriot sacrifices everything for his country and people. He says "Nought man could do have I left undone," meaning he did all he could. He actually leaps for the sun, working toward impossible goals for his people's benefit. Yet his sacrifice is not recognized or appreciated. The poem questions whether patriotism is about serving one's country faithfully or about gaining public recognition. True patriotism seems to be serving regardless of whether others will thank you.

Theme 4: Faith in Divine Justice

Despite his earthly suffering, the patriot ends the poem with faith in God. He trusts that God is a just judge who sees his true heart and actions. He believes God will reward him in heaven even though the world has punished him unjustly on earth. This theme offers comfort and hope despite tragedy. Browning suggests that divine justice exists beyond human judgment. Those who suffer unjustly in this world can find peace in trusting God's ultimate fairness and compassion.

Theme 5: Isolation and Loneliness

The patriot's isolation becomes increasingly clear as the poem progresses. Surrounded by crowds one year ago, he is now surrounded by enemies. Empty roofs replace crowded ones. The few people who watch are weak and sick. His isolation is both physical and emotional. He stands alone facing execution while those he served now hate him. This theme emphasizes the pain of being misunderstood and rejected by everyone. The patriot must face death without support from the people he loved.

The Patriot – Symbols

Symbol 1: Roses and Myrtle

The flowers strewn in the patriot's path symbolize love, respect, honor, and purity. Roses traditionally represent love and beauty, while myrtle represents innocence and goodness. When people throw these flowers at the patriot, they are showing their affection and admiration. The abundance of flowers suggests that the patriot is deeply loved. Later, stones replace flowers, showing how love turns to hatred. The flowers also suggest that the patriot's reception is natural and authentic, not forced or political.

Symbol 2: The Sun

The sun symbolizes immortal power, glory, and ambition. When the patriot asks the people to fetch him the sun, he is asking for something eternal and unreachable. The sun never sets or dies but shines forever, representing lasting fame and immortality. The patriot wants more than temporary celebration. He wants to be remembered forever. The reference to the mythical Icarus, who flew too close to the sun and fell, suggests that reaching for the sun leads to destruction. The patriot's ambition, though noble, eventually causes his downfall.

Symbol 3: Church Spires

The church spires reaching toward the sky symbolize hope, faith, and the connection between earth and heaven. When they flame with bright flags during the patriot's welcome, they suggest that his arrival is blessed by heaven. Church bells ringing throughout the poem reinforce this religious symbol. The spires also suggest the patriot's own faith and spirituality, which becomes important at the poem's end when he trusts God. The spires point upward, foreshadowing the patriot's final hope in divine justice.

Symbol 4: The Scaffold

The scaffold or gallows symbolizes death, punishment, and loss of honor. It is the final destination of the patriot's journey. The scaffold also represents the justice system, whether that justice is fair or unfair. The patriot's path leads from joyful roofs to the scaffold foot. This journey shows his loss of everything. The scaffold stands as a symbol of how quickly circumstances can change. Where celebration happened, execution now takes place. The scaffold also represents human cruelty and the tendency to destroy what was once loved.

Symbol 5: Stones and Rope

Stones and rope symbolize suffering, punishment, and violence. Where flowers once touched the patriot gently, stones now strike him painfully. The rope binds his wrists, cutting them and drawing blood. These objects represent the physical pain that accompanies his mental anguish. They also represent the cruelty of the people who throw them. The contrast between flowers and stones emphasizes how the same people express opposite feelings. The rope that binds him is the instrument of his execution, representing his loss of freedom and life.

The Patriot by Robert Browning – Literary Devices

Literary Device 1: Metaphor

Definition: A metaphor compares two different things by saying one thing IS another thing, without using "like" or "as."

Example 1: "It was roses, roses, all the way" - The patriot does not mean that the path is literally made of roses. This metaphor means his journey was beautiful, pleasant, and filled with love.

Example 2: "And you see my harvest, what I reap / This very day" - The patriot compares his present suffering to harvesting or collecting crops. He is saying that his current pain is the result of what he planted through his actions. This metaphor suggests karma or consequences.

Example 3: "Alack, it was I who leaped at the sun / To give it my loving friends to keep" - The sun represents immortal power and glory. Leaping at the sun means striving for impossible high goals. This metaphor shows the patriot's ambition and his attempt to achieve great things for others.

Explanation: Browning uses metaphors to make abstract ideas concrete and emotional. These metaphors help readers feel the patriot's journey from joy to suffering to spiritual hope.

Literary Device 2: Personification

Definition: Personification gives human qualities to non-human things or objects.

Example: "The house-roofs seemed to heave and sway" - Roofs cannot actually heave and sway like people dancing or swaying. Browning gives the roofs these human movements to show that they are so crowded with people that they seem to move and shake. The roofs are so weighed down by crowds that they appear to move on their own.

Explanation: This personification creates a vivid image of the enormous crowds gathering to see the patriot. It also gives energy and life to the scene, showing excitement and movement. The roofs seem almost alive with the crowd's emotion.

Literary Device 3: Alliteration

Definition: Alliteration is the repetition of the same beginning consonant sound in nearby words.

Example 1: "With myrtle mixed in my path like mad" - The letter "m" repeats in "myrtle," "mixed," "my," and "mad." This repetition of the "m" sound makes the line musical and pleasant to say aloud. It also emphasizes the abundance and passion of the welcome.

Example 2: "The church-spires flamed, such flags they had" - The "f" sound repeats in "flamed" and "flags." This creates a sharp, bright sound that matches the vivid image of flames and colorful flags.

Example 3: "The air broke into a mist with bells" and "old walls rocked with the crowds and cries" - The "b" sound in "broke" and "bells," and "c" sound in "crowds" and "cries" create musical effects. These alliterations make the poem sound beautiful when read aloud.

Explanation: Browning uses alliteration to make the poem musical and to emphasize certain words and ideas. The repeated sounds also match the emotional tone of each scene.

Literary Device 4: Irony

Definition: Irony occurs when something is the opposite of what is expected. Dramatic irony happens when the reader knows something that the character does not, or when outcomes are opposite to intentions.

Example: The people who threw roses and cheered for the patriot one year ago are the same people who throw stones and cheer for his execution. The patriot gave everything to them and sacrificed for their good. In return, they repay him with death and hatred. This is the opposite of what the patriot deserved and expected.

Explanation: The poem's central irony is this reversal of fortune. What seems permanent and joyful suddenly becomes temporary and painful. The patriot's reward for patriotism is betrayal and execution. This irony shows the cruel and unpredictable nature of human fortune and public opinion.

Literary Device 5: Imagery

Definition: Imagery uses vivid, concrete language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell). Imagery helps readers visualize and feel what the poem describes.

Example 1: "With myrtle mixed in my path like mad: / The house-roofs seemed to heave and sway, / The church-spires flamed, such flags they had" - These lines create visual images of flowers, moving roofs, and bright flames. Readers can see the colors and movement.

Example 2: "The air broke into a mist with bells" - This creates both visual (mist) and auditory (bells) imagery. Readers can imagine hearing bells and seeing mist in the air.

Example 3: "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" - These lines appeal to touch and sight. Readers can feel the rain, rope, and pain.

Explanation: Browning's vivid imagery makes the poem's scenes come alive. Readers experience the patriot's joy and suffering through their senses. This makes the emotional impact of the poem stronger and more memorable.

Literary Device 6: Allusion

Definition: An allusion is an indirect reference to another work, person, or event that the reader is expected to recognize.

Example: "Alack, it was I who leaped at the sun" - This alludes to the Greek myth of Icarus. In that story, Icarus's father gives him wings made of wax so he can escape from prison. His father warns him not to fly too close to the sun, as the heat will melt the wax. But Icarus becomes too ambitious and confident. He flies too high, the sun melts his wax wings, and he falls to his death in the sea.

Explanation: The allusion to Icarus helps readers understand the patriot's fate. Like Icarus, the patriot reaches too high with his ambitions. Like Icarus, his ambition leads to his destruction. However, the patriot's fall comes not from the sun itself but from the people he tried to serve. The allusion adds depth and suggests that the patriot's tragedy is universal and timeless.