Question

Which poetic device is used when Browning interrupts the Duke’s speech mid-line to create a natural, conversational rhythm?

• A. End-stopping
• B. Enjambment
• C. Caesura
• D. Refrain

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Caesura

A caesura is a pause or break within a line of poetry, often marked by punctuation such as commas, dashes, or periods. Consider this line:

“Never to stoop. Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt,”
This line features multiple interruptions, giving the Duke’s speech a halting, conversational cadence, mimicking real speech. It also subtly reveals the Duke’s emotional instability and narcissism masked by politeness.