Browning- My Last Duchess

Question 1

That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall

Answer 1

Use of spatial deixis foregorunds the Duchess straight away and in turn the Duke’s control over her
Casual tone
Possessive pronoun highlights patriarchal society and controlling power dynamic between the two
Duchess is presented as an object

Question 2

That piece a wonder, now: Fra Pandolf’s hands

Answer 2

Temporal deixis creates separation between past and present
Colon creates suspense, placing emphasis on the artist’s name in order to foreground the Duke’s wealth and status
In awe of the painting

Question 3

Will’t please you sit and look at her?

Answer 3

Imperative verbs create sense of control and demand, the control he wanted over the Duchess
Juxtaposed by politeness of ‘please’ as if he is expressing desire for them to admire the painting

Question 4

I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands

Answer 4

Intimidating and threatening tone
Ominous tone implying her murder
Sibilance creates sininster tone
Caesura reflects the Duchess’ life being cut short

Question 5

Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity

Answer 5

Metaphor for Duchess serves as a warning to future wives of his
Animal imagery/ zoomorphism is dehumanising and reflects how he views the Duchess

Question 6

What is the form of the poem

Answer 6

Dramatic monologue
Gives psychological insight into the speaker of the poem
Establishes relationship between speaker and audience

Question 7

What is the rhythm of the poem

Answer 7

Iambic pentameter (one stressed, one unstressed syllable)
Creates boastful, possessive tone
Replicates the control he wants to have over the Duchess

Question 8

What is the structure of the poem

Answer 8

Rhyming couplets
Regular, controlled, disciplined
Reflects the control he wanted over the Duchess
Ironic as he seems calm and reasonable