My Last Duchess Flashcards
(9 cards)
Context
Published in 1842 in Britain.
Inspired by real events.
Uses of structure.
Iambic pentameter
Dramatic monologue
Enjambment
Dramatic Irony
Effect of Dramatic monologue.
Shows the arrogance and control of the Duke as he does not let the other person speak.
Effect of Enjambment
Gets carried away with a rambling tone showing his anger and representing him as unstable.
Effect of Dramatic Irony.
Shows his hypocricy. Trying to show off and gain a new wife but with a sinister tone.
Quotes
“Looking as if she was alive”
“I gave commands ; then all smiles stopped together.”
“Notice, Neptune, though taming a sea horse.”
“Looking as if she was alive.”
Simile
Foreshadowing
Objectification
Creates an eerie atmosphere and signals that the duchess is dead. Shows Irony that the duke can now controll her as she is a voiceless painting. He has now got what he wanted complete controll. She is also objectified as just a piece of art subtly hinting at patriarchy.
“Notice neptune, though taming a sea horse.”
Mythological allusion
Juxtaposition
Symbolism
The mythical allusion to the God neptune reinforces the dukes obsession with authority and dominance. This mirrors how he tried to control the duchess. The symbolism of a fragile creature shows the dukes desire to dominate those below him. And silence delicate beauty with absolute power. Juxtaposition of a God taming a timing creature also reflects the absurd extent of the dukes desire for controll.
“I gave commands ; then all smiles stopped together.”
Irony
Ambiguity
Euphemism
The Euphemism of gave commands reflects the disturbing end of the duchess. However the casual phrasing shows the ruthlessness and authoritarian duke as he treats this as such a little event. Furthermore Irony shows the twisted views of the Duke as the things that everyone loved about his late wife was the reason he had her killed. He just wanted an object that he could control showing his want for power, and obsession with posession.
