5. My Last Duchess - Robert Browning Flashcards
First line - controls the reader’s focus, and implies that the Duchess is dead.
“That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall”
Imagery showing how the Duke controls everything.
“…none puts by / the curtain I have drawn for you but I”
Caesura showing how the Duke used his power to kill her by giving orders to have her killed, out of jealousy. Thus displaying his arrogance as he thinks that her life is worth so little
“I gave commands; then all smiles stopped together”
Last line uses a symbol of how the Duke will go on controlling beautiful, natural things.
“a seahorse […] cast in bronze for me.”
What is the context of My Last Duchess?
This poem uses a real example (Lucrezia di Medici - the real Duchess, who may have been murdered by her husband) to show that powerful people have always abused their power
The use of the first person shows that The Duke still controls his last Duchess even during death.
“[since none puts by the curtain I have drawn but I]”
The quote shows that the Duke had expectations for the Duchess that she did not meet. The use of the hyphens emphasise the Duke’s relaxed/arrogant attitude towards her and his views on her.
“She had a heart - how shall I say this?- too soon to make glad,”
The quote … shows that the Duke thought she was flattered with ease, again, showing his arrogance as only wants her to be flattered by him.
“Too easily impressed,”
Rhyming couplets is used throughout the poem. It can link to the Duke’s character almost making light out of a serious and tragic incident.
“The bough of cherries some officious FOOL, broke in the orchard for her, the white MULE,”
