Summary:
Robert Browning’s “Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister” is a dramatic monologue written in 1842, featuring a bitter and jealous monk who despises his fellow monk, Brother Lawrence. The speaker, who remains unnamed, mocks Brother Lawrence’s seemingly pious behavior and accuses him of hypocrisy, all while revealing his own sinful and envious nature. Through his sarcastic and spiteful remarks, the speaker exposes the darker side of religious life, where personal rivalries and moral corruption exist beneath a surface of devotion. The poem explores themes of hypocrisy, religious jealousy, and moral corruption, using energetic language, irony, and a dramatic, almost theatrical tone.
MCQs:
- What is the form of “Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister”?
a) Sonnet
b) Dramatic Monologue
c) Free Verse
d) Epic Poem
Answer: b) Dramatic Monologue - Who is the speaker in the poem?
a) Brother Lawrence
b) A jealous monk
c) A priest
d) A traveler
Answer: b) A jealous monk - What is the speaker’s attitude toward Brother Lawrence?
a) Admiration
b) Indifference
c) Jealousy and hatred
d) Friendship
Answer: c) Jealousy and hatred
Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister - What does the speaker accuse Brother Lawrence of?
a) Being a thief
b) Hypocrisy and hidden sins
c) Practicing witchcraft
d) Lying about his past
Answer: b) Hypocrisy and hidden sins - How does the speaker try to discredit Brother Lawrence?
a) By spreading rumors about him
b) By trying to tempt him into sin
c) By reporting him to the church authorities
d) By challenging him to a debate
Answer: b) By trying to tempt him into sin - What is ironic about the speaker’s accusations?
a) Brother Lawrence is actually a good person
b) The speaker is guilty of worse sins than Brother Lawrence
c) The speaker secretly admires Brother Lawrence
d) The accusations are completely imaginary
Answer: b) The speaker is guilty of worse sins than Brother Lawrence - What literary device is most commonly used in the poem?
a) Simile
b) Irony
c) Hyperbole
d) Personification
Answer: b) Irony - What does the speaker wish to happen to Brother Lawrence?
a) That he gets expelled from the monastery
b) That he dies
c) That he falls into sin and goes to hell
d) That he becomes a famous priest
Answer: c) That he falls into sin and goes to hell - What does the poem critique?
a) The corruption within the Catholic Church
b) The hypocrisy in religious institutions
c) The lack of faith in monks
d) The decline of monastic life
Answer: b) The hypocrisy in religious institutions - What is the tone of the poem?
a) Serious and tragic
b) Bitter and sarcastic
c) Lighthearted and humorous
d) Romantic and emotional
Answer: b) Bitter and sarcastic
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | Soliloquy of the Spanish Cloister |
| Poet | Robert Browning |
| Year Written | 1842 |
| Year Published | 1842 |
| Poem Type | Dramatic Monologue |
| Verse Form | Rhymed Stanzas |
| Setting | A Spanish Monastery |
| Main Character | A jealous and bitter monk |
| Themes | Religious Hypocrisy, Jealousy, Sin vs. Piety, Irony |
| Tone | Bitter, Sarcastic, Cynical |
| Famous Quote | “Gr-r-r—you swine!” |
| Main Conflict | The speaker’s jealousy and hatred toward Brother Lawrence |
| Structure | Short, energetic stanzas with fast-paced rhythm |
| Legacy | A powerful critique of religious hypocrisy and moral corruption |