My Last Duchess Flashcards
Who wrote My Last Duchess
Robert Browning
What is My Last Duchess about
the Duke proudly points out the portrait of the Duchess to a visitor, the Duke was angered by her behaviour as she was friendly towards everyone and he was annoyed that she treated him just like anyone else, he acted to stop the Duchess’s flirtatious behaviour but he doesn’t say how he did this, there were string hints of having her murdered, the Duke and his guest walk away from the painting and the reader discovers that the Duke’s visitor has come to arrange the Duke’s next marriage
What is the form of My Last Duchess
dramatic monologue, iambic pentameter, reinforces the impression that the Duke is in conversation, rhyming couplets show the Duke’s desire for control but the enjambment suggests that he get carried away with his anger and passions, this creates an image of a somewhat unstable character whose obsession with power in unsettling
What is the structure of My Last Duchess
poem is framed by the visit of the Duke’s gallery but he gets caught up in talking about the Duchess, the poem builds towards a king of confession before the identity of the visitor is revealed and the Duke mies on talking about other art
What is the power and objectification of My Last Duchess
the Duke felt the need to have power and control over the Duchess, he saw her as another one of his possessions to be collected and admired just like his art, ‘my last duchess’ - as if he owns her not just the painting, ‘the curtains I have drawn for you’ - he controls the painting as he couldn’t control who looked at her when she was alive
What is the dramatic irony of My Last Duchess
the things the Duke say about the Duchess seem quite innocent but they often have more sinister meanings for the reader, there is a gap between what the Duke is telling the visitor and what the poet allows us to read between the lines, ‘looking as if she were alive’ - sinister tone, ‘that spot of joy’ - repeated showing her blush bothers him, ‘I gave commands’ - euphemism for have her murdered
What is the status of My Last Duchess
status is really important to the Duke, he cares about how others see him, ‘900 year old name’ - proud of his history and the family titles, ‘I choose never to stoop’ - he is so proud that even critising his wife would have been beneath him and believes she shouldn’t have to be reminded how to behave, ‘In speech (which I have not)’ - false modesty as he clearly does like speaking
What are the feelings and attitudes of My Last Duchess
pride - the Duke is very proud of his possessions and his status, jealousy - he could not stand the way thew Duchess treated him the same as everyone else, power - he enjoys the control he has over the painting, he didn’t have this power when she was alive
What are the themes of My Last Duchess
power of humans, memory, negative emotions - pride, identity
What language/techniques does My Last Duchess have
power and objectification, dramatic irony, status
