My Last Duchess

Question 1

Form

Answer 1

Dramatic monologue

• a dramatic monologue is a poem that has one speaker the whole way through
• Duke believes previous wife had an affair

Question 2

Context

Answer 2

Patriachy

Question 3

Since none

Answer 3

Since none puts by the curtain I have drawn for you, but I.

The Duke is very insecure - he is holding onto any sign of power over his wife

• Juxtapostion (the dead wife has control over him)
• Foreshadowing (Foreshadowing an eventual downfall)

Question 4

E’en then

Answer 4

E’en then would be some stooping, and I choose Never to stoop.

• He views his wife as a 2nd class citizen; somebody below himself
• Sibilance (reflects the duke’s suppressed anger)
• Enjambement (shows that the duke’s emotions are taking over)

Question 5

Then all

Answer 5

Then all smiles stopped together

Implies that the Duke killed his wife

• Caesura (emphasises on how her life was cut short)
• Symbolism (everything ended at the same time - life, smile, breathing, etc)