Category: Poem Analysis

FERRARA

1. That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall,
2. Looking as if she were alive. I call
3. That piece a wonder, now; Fra Pandolf’s hands
4. Worked busily a day, and there she stands.
5. Will’t please you sit and look at her? I said
6. “Fra Pandolf” by design, for never read
7. Strangers like you that pictured countenance,
8. The depth and passion of its earnest glance,
9. But to myself they turned (since none puts by
10. The curtain I have drawn for you, but I)
11. And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst,
12. How such a glance came there; so, not the first
13. Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, ‘twas not
14. Her husband’s presence only, called that spot
15. Of joy into the Duchess’ cheek; perhaps
16. Fra Pandolf chanced to say, “Her mantle laps
17. Over my lady’s wrist too much,” or “Paint
18. Must never hope to reproduce the faint
19. Half-flush that dies along her throat.” Such stuff
20. Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough
21. For calling up that spot of joy. She had
22. A heart—how shall I say?— too soon made glad,
23. Too easily impressed; she liked whate’er
24. She looked on, and her looks went everywhere.
25. Sir, ‘twas all one! My favour at her breast,
26. The dropping of the daylight in the West,
27. The bough of cherries some officious fool
28. Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule
29. She rode with round the terrace—all and each
30. Would draw from her alike the approving speech,
31. Or blush, at least. She thanked men—good! but thanked
32. Somehow—I know not how—as if she ranked
33. My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name
34. With anybody’s gift. Who’d stoop to blame
35. This sort of trifling? Even had you skill
36. In speech—which I have not—to make your will
37. Quite clear to such an one, and say, “Just this
38. Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss,
39. Or there exceed the mark”—and if she let
40. Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set
41. Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse—
42. E’en then would be some stooping; and I choose
43. Never to stoop. Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt,
44. Whene’er I passed her; but who passed without
45. Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands;
46. Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands
47. As if alive. Will’t please you rise? We’ll meet
48. The company below, then. I repeat,
49. The Count your master’s known munificence
50. Is ample warrant that no just pretense
51. Of mine for dowry will be disallowed;
52. Though his fair daughter’s self, as I avowed
53. At starting, is my object. Nay, we’ll go
54. Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though,
55. Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity,
56. Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!

Introduction

Robert Browning’s “My Last Duchess” is a popular dramatic monologue. It was first published in 1842 as part of a collection of poems titled Dramatic Lyrics. While the collection as a whole was not particularly successful upon its release, “My Last Duchess” quickly stood out in popularity and critical acclaim due to its haunting portrayal of a jealous and possessive Duke discussing his former wife. The poem has since become one of Browning’s representative works. That is why it is considered a classic of the Victorian poetry. Its enduring popularity could be attributed to Browning’s use of language and images to explore the thematic strands of power, control, and the male gaze.

Annotations of “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning

Literary Devices in “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning

Sound and Poetic Devices in “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning

Functions of Literary Devices in “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning

1. Characterization: Literary devices are used to create a vivid and complex portrait of the Duke’s character, revealing his arrogance, obsession and cruel nature. For example, the use of dramatic monologue and the Duke’s words provide insight into his thoughts and feelings, while images and symbols contribute to the themes of power and possession.

One example of characterization is the use of dramatic monologue, allowing the readers to hear the Duke’s thoughts and know his perspective. Through his words and actions, he makes it known that he is extremely possessive and controlling. He shows it saying how he had his previous Duchess killed for her supposed flirtatious nature. The use of imagery and symbolism support this argument. He also shows it when he says that the painting of his last Duchess is his prime possession that he controls and displays to others. The painting becomes a symbol of his power and control over his wife, demonstrating his desire to show off his wealth and status.

2. Theme: Literary devices explore power and control as well as the objectification and subjugation of women. The use of imagery, symbolism, and irony help to develop these themes. Through these themes, the readers sees how the Duke wields his power and control over his wife and other women. This leads to their objectification and dehumanization.

One example of the theme of power and control is the use of imagery and symbolism in the painting of the Duchess, which represents the Duke’s power and control over his wife. The painting becomes a symbol of his possession and control over her, as he describes how he had it created and how he has the power to draw the curtain over it. Another example is the use of irony in the Duke’s speech, as he claims that he is not the type to “stoop” to correct his wife’s behavior, even though he has had her killed for her perceived flirtatiousness. This irony highlights the Duke’s hypocrisy and his use of power to silence and control women.

3. Tone: Literary devices create a specific tone in “My Last Duchess” characterized by a sense of unease and tension. The use of enjambment, caesura, and repetition help to develop this tone. Resultantly, the readers feel a sense of discomfort and unease whenever the Duke asserts himself.

One example of tone is the use of enjambment. It creates a sense of tension and unease in the Duke’s speech. It happens in the second and the third line. Another example is the use of repetition such as the repetition of the word “smile.” It creates a sense of unease and discomfort when the readers come to know about the Duke’s obsession with his wife’s appearance and his arrogance over how he controls her emotions.

4. Narrative Structure: Literary devices create a specific narrative structure that emphasizes the Duke’s perspective. Specifically, the use of dramatic monologue and the Duke’s assertive words help to polish this structure. His point of view and further assertion make this structure even more narrative. One example of narrative structure is the use of dramatic monologue, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy in the poem. The Duke’s world reveals itself with full force, making the readers aware of his story.  

Themes in “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning

1. Power and Control: The poem “My Last Duchess” shows the major theme of power, control and cruel nature of exercising these human features. The Duke of Ferrara show this through his character. He is a powerful and controlling person who asserts his authority over his late wife and the listener he addresses. Using the language to dominate the conversation, he insists that the listener sit and admire the portrait of his wife, saying, “Will’t please you sit and look at her?” (line 5) and later commanding, “Will’t please you rise?” (line 47). He also reveals his possessiveness and control over his wife by hiding her portrait behind a curtain, saying, “since none puts by / The curtain I have drawn for you, but I” (lines 9-10). Both of these references show how assertive he is not only with his wife but also with the interlocutors.
2. Art and Appearance: Browning also shows the theme of art and appearance in the poem. This theme too emerges through the character of the Duke who is proud at the portrait of his late wife and sees it as a masterpiece. That is why he calls it as a “wonder” (line 3) and praises the artist, Fra Pandolf, for capturing his wife’s emotions. However, he also acknowledges that the portrait is just an image and does not capture his wife’s true essence. He says, “she had / A heart…too soon made glad, / Too easily impressed” (lines 22-24), suggesting that the portrait depicts only one side of his wife’s personality and that he has seen her multidimensionality when she was alive.
3. Jealousy and Possessiveness: “My Last Duchess” demonstrates these themes when the Duke speaks to his interlocutor. He reveals his jealous of his late wife’s affection toward others. He resents the fact that she used to lean toward others even for smallest things. By showing this, he implies that she was too easily pleased. Then, he suggests that he had to control her to keep her in line. He says, “She liked whate’er / She looked on, and her looks went everywhere” (lines 23-24), and later states, “she thanked men…as if she ranked / My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name / With anybody’s gift” (lines 31-33). These lines clear show hr character and reveal his obsession about his property, the duchess.
4. Gender Roles and Expectations: The poem “My Last Duchess” shows another side of this poem; the role of women and expectations from them. The poem shows this through the Duke’s comments about his late wife, revealing his belief in traditional gender roles and  his expectations her. He implies that his wife was too emotional and too easily pleased, suggesting that these qualities were not desirable in a wife. This also shows how Victorians dukes used to treat their ladies. When he states that his status and wealth entitled him to a beautiful and obedient wife, he means it. He clarifies it when he says, “I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together” (lines 45-46), indicating that he used his power to silence his wife and maintain control over her. This also shows how patriarchy used to control femininity during Browning’s time.

Literary Theories and “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning

1. Psychoanalytic theory: This literary theory seeks to find the unconsciousness desires of characters and authors. Regarding this poem, the Duke’s possessiveness and jealousy toward his late wife could be a manifestation of his repressed desires for control and power. This is evident in lines 32-34, where the Duke remarks that his late wife “liked whate’er / She looked on, and her looks went everywhere.” The Duke’s insecurity is further highlighted in lines 42-43, where he states that he gave commands to his wife “Then all smiles stopped together.” This suggests that the Duke’s desire for control over his wife was so great that he was willing to resort to extreme measures to sustain it. The Duke’s obsession with power is also evident in his description of his last Duchess, particularly in lines 25-31. Here, he describes how she would thank anyone who gave her attention, even though she was married to him and had his name. This suggests that the Duke saw his wife as an object to possess and control rather than as a person with her own desires and feelings.
2. Feminist theory: The poem “ My Last Duchess” also demonstrates traditional gender roles and reinforces the idea of male dominance. The Duchess’s portrayal is of a passive object, while the Duke is the active subject. His treatment of his wife is particularly troubling when he accuses her of having a flirtatious nature. This suggests that the Duke saw his wife as inferior to him and her outgoing nature flares him up when he sees her. Also, the Duke’s description of the portrait of his wife in lines 2-4 highlights the objectification of women in the poem. He refers to her as “That piece a wonder, now” and “a wonder, a miracle.” This reduces his wife to an object of beauty rather than acknowledging her as a complex human being with her own thoughts and feelings.
3. New Criticism: New Criticism literary theory relies heavily on literary devices for interpretations. The poem shows the use of several literary devices such as enjambment, caesura, and dramatic monologue which contribute to the poem’s structure and ultimately enhance its intended meaning. The use of enjambment and caesura creates a sense of tension and urgency in the Duke’s speech, suggesting that he is struggling to maintain control over his emotions. For example, in lines 27-28, the Duke says, “E’en then would be some stooping; and I choose / Never to stoop.” The pause created by the caesura emphasizes the Duke’s determination not to “stoop” and his desire for control. The dramatic monologue allows the reader to experience the Duke’s inner thoughts and emotions in a more intimate way, revealing his true character and motivations. For example, the Duke’s jealousy and possessiveness towards his wife are revealed through his description of her behavior and his reaction to it. The use of first-person point of view in the poem further immerses the reader in the Duke’s perspective and creates a sense of intimacy between the reader and the character.
4. Reader-response theory: A reader’s interpretation of the poem could be influenced by their own personal experiences with power dynamics in relationships. For instance, a reader who has experienced an abusive relationship may view the Duke’s possessiveness and control over his wife as a warning sign of potential abuse. In contrast, a reader who has not experienced such a relationship may not view the Duke’s behavior as problematic. This aspect of reader-response literary theory could find support through specific lines from the poem. For example, the Duke’s statement, “She ranked my gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name / With anybody’s gift,” (lines 33-34) suggests that he values his family name and status above all else. Some readers may interpret this as a sign of the Duke’s insecurity and need for control, while others may see it as a reasonable concern for his family’s honor and legacy. Also, the Duke’s description of his late wife’s behavior towards other men, such as “her looks went everywhere” (line 23) and “her mantle laps / Over my lady’s wrist too much,” (lines 32-33) can be interpreted in different ways depending on the reader’s own values and experiences. Some readers may view this behavior as evidence of the Duchess’s independence and desire for attention, while others may see it as a betrayal of the Duke’s trust and a lack of respect for their marriage.

Essay Topics, Questions and Thesis Statements about “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning

1. Topic: Power and Control in “My Last Duchess”

Question: How does Browning explore the themes of power and control in “My Last Duchess”?

Thesis Statement: Through the character of the Duke and his description of the Duchess, Browning highlights the destructive nature of power and control, as the Duke’s desire to possess and dominate his wife ultimately leads to her death.

• Topic: Gender Roles in “My Last Duchess”

Question: How does Browning challenge traditional gender roles in “My Last Duchess”?

Thesis Statement: By portraying the Duchess as a strong and independent woman who is punished for defying the Duke’s expectations of subservience and obedience, Browning critiques patriarchal norms and highlights the injustice and oppression faced by women in society.

• Topic: Jealousy and Possessiveness in “My Last Duchess”

Question: How does Browning explore the destructive effects of jealousy and possessiveness in “My Last Duchess”?

Thesis Statement: Through the character of the Duke and his obsessive desire to possess and control his wife, Browning highlights the negative consequences of jealousy and possessiveness, as the Duke’s actions ultimately lead to the loss of his wife and his own isolation and loneliness.

• Topic: Art and Representation in “My Last Duchess”

Question: How does Browning use the theme of art and representation in “My Last Duchess”?

Thesis Statement: Through the Duke’s obsession with the portrait of his wife and his desire to control the way in which she is represented, Browning explores the ways in which art can be used as a tool of manipulation and control, and raises questions about the nature of artistic representation and its relationship to reality.

Short Question-Answer about “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning

1. What is the central theme of “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning?

The central theme of “My Last Duchess” is the theme of power, control, and possession. The Duke in the poem seeks to control his wife through his power, wealth and language. He believes that his wife is flirtatious, docile and simpleton. She could easily inclined toward others. Resultant action of the Duke’s actions and attitudes toward her, therefore, shows him an oppressor abusing abuse that power to control and dominate her figure. The Duke’s pride and sense of entitlement ultimately lead to the downfall of his marriage which is another topic for an argument. Centrality of this theme as support from the text as follows.

Evidence from the text: “I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands / As if alive.” These lines suggest that the Duke had his wife killed for not obeying his commands and for not being fully devoted to him. This indicates that the Duke’s desire for power and control over his wife was so strong that he was willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve it.

2. Who is the intended audience of the Duke’s monologue in “My Last Duchess”?

The intended audience of the Duke’s monologue in “My Last Duchess” is the emissary from a foreign court. He has come to negotiate the Duke’s next marriage. The Duke is, thus, engaged in impressing the emissary. He uses language first and then shows how wealthy and powerful he is to impress him. He also uses the portrait of his last duchess to show off his possessions to assert his control over his future wife. However, his main purpose is to dominating the emissary to control him.

Evidence from the text: “Notice Neptune, though, / Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity, /  Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!” These lines suggest that the Duke is using the conversation with the emissary as an opportunity to show off his wealth and status.

3. What is the significance of the title “My Last Duchess” in the poem?

The title “My Last Duchess” it suggests that the Duke has had multiple wives and that his previous wife is no longer alive. The use of the word “last” implies that there were others before her, and the fact that he has her portrait hanging on the wall suggests that he is still obsessed with her. The title also creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, as the reader is left to wonder what happened to the previous duchess and how she died.

Evidence from the text: The lines “I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands / As if alive” suggest that the Duke had his last duchess killed, adding to the mystery surrounding her disappearance.

4. What is the meaning behind the Duke’s comment about the bronze statue of Neptune in “My Last Duchess”?

The Duke’s comment about the bronze statue of Neptune in “My Last Duchess” intends to show his wealth and status to the emissary. This statue represents his power and control. Just as the portrait of his last duchess represents his power and control over his wife, it boasts his power over other things. The fact that the statue was made by Claus of Innsbruck, a famous artist, also shows that the Duke is a patron of the arts and is wealthy enough to commission such works. Overall, the comment serves to reinforce the Duke’s sense of entitlement and superiority.Evidence from the text: “Notice Neptune, though, / Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity,/ Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!” These lines indicate that the Duke is using the conversation with the emissary as an opportunity to show off his wealth.