My Last Duchess Flashcards
1
Q
“That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall, looking as though she were alive”
A
- “my” ->like he owned her
- he had power over her
- caesura -> he cuts it off, abrupt that she’s dead
2
Q
“…This grew; I gave commands; then all smiles stoped together”
A
- he is really self orientated -> he only cares about himself
- she flirted with other men so he ordered someone to kill her
- he had power over his wife
3
Q
“Her looks went everywhere”
A
- she looked at other men too much
- he was jealous
- he couldn’t control his wife and felt powerless
4
Q
“Notice Neptune, though, taming a sea-horse”
A
- saying that he is like Neptune (a God)
- he was trying to tame his wife
- he is materialistic
- the man is controlling nature
5
Q
What are the key themes in My Last Duchess?
A
- Power of men
- Powerlessness of women
- Memory
- Pride
6
Q
What is the poem about?
A
- about the Duke of Ferara
- his wife, aged 17, died due to suspicious circumstances
7
Q
When was My Last Duchess written?
A
- the Victorian Era
- Society was rigidly patriarchal
- Womens sexuality was seen as dangerous
8
Q
What is the structure of the poem?
A
- all one huge stanza
- written in rhyming cuplets
- iambic pentameter -> 5 stressed 5 unstressed
THE STRUCTURE REFLECTS CONTROL
9
Q
What is a Dramatic Monologue?
A
- single speaker who reveals flaws
- we only get one side of the story
- we don’t know that she wasn’t just a friendly person
