Final answer:
The speaker in 'Richard Cory' characterizes Richard Cory as an unhappy man through the use of ironic contrast between his perceived wealthy and enviable exterior and his tragic, despairing action of taking his own life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The speaker in “Richard Cory” characterizes Cory as an unhappy man through ironic contrast. The poem presents Richard Cory as a person of enviable qualities and social status, described with terms like “genteel” and “imperially slim,” suggesting a regal and admirable figure. However, the ultimate irony is revealed in the poem's final lines, where despite all his apparent blessings, Richard Cory goes home and tragically ends his life, underscoring his profound unhappiness. Thus, the speaker uses the disparity between the town’s perception of Cory’s superficial success and his inner desolation to characterize him as deeply unhappy.