My last Duchess Flashcards
What is the background of this poem? (just read)
Robert Browning loosely based this poem on the life of Alfonso II d’Este, the Duke of Ferrara from 1533 to 1598. Ferrara married Lucrezia di Cosimo Medici when he was twenty-five. Lucrezia was part of the Medici family, an incredibly wealthy banking family that gained political prominence during the 15th century. The Medici family was wealthy, but they did not have the social status that the Este family would have had as long-standing members of the aristocracy. Lucrezia died at seventeen, only three years after the couple had married. Though she is thought to have died of tuberculosis, it was widely speculated that she had been poisoned by her husband, who was then seeking the hand of Barbara, the eighth daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I and a woman of significantly more social importance than his young wife. Browning’s character is presumably the Duke of Ferrara. In this poem, he reveals his sociopathic mind and suggests that Lucrezia was murdered.
What is the style of this poem?
The poem is a dramatic monologue in rhyming couplets (heroic couplets) written in iambic pentameter (10 syllables per line).
In contrast to ‘Ulysses’, there is a ___ rhyme scheme throughout the poem which never varies.
fixed
What is the effect of the fixed rhyme scheme?
The effect created by this rhyme scheme is to reinforce the Duke’s controlling nature. The rhyme scheme is as controlled as he is in life.
What is the significance of the poem being one long stanza?
The poem is one long stanza that amplifies his power over the visitor and his love of power generally.
How does the dramatic monologue help the reader?
The dramatic monologue enables the reader to get a sense of the Duke’s personality which is controlling as well as his sociopathic tendencies and apparent capacity for violence and lack of empathy or remorse.
How is the poem framed?
The poem is framed by an emissary who has come to visit the Duke and is given a visit to the Duke’s gallery. Instead of talking about the art, he indulges himself in a discussion of his last duchess and her character, which seems to imply a warning to the emissary who has been sent to negotiate the terms of his next marriage.
His initial introduction to his last duchess ‘painted on the wall’ ____ the reader which is continued with ‘Looking as if she were alive’ which makes it clear immediately to us that she is not.
intrigues
Why is the Duke impressed?
The Duke is impressed by the authenticity of the painting and describes it as ‘a wonder’.
What does the use of ‘now’ suggest?
The use of ‘now’ suggests that he may not have described it as ‘a wonder’ previously because he was unhappy with her spending such long periods of time with any man soit is likely Fra Pandolf – the artist ‘worked busily a day’ in order to finish the portrait.
Although ‘Will’t please you sit and look at her?’ is posed as a question, it does not seem that the Duke has given his ___ any choice.
emissary
Why does the duke mention ‘Fra Pandolf by design’?
The Duke mentions ‘Fra Pandolf by design’ because he is aware that some visitors might wonder how he was able to get ‘the depth and passion of its earnest glance’ into his portrait.
The Duke makes it clear that he is in control and that no-one is able to see this _____ unless he deems it appropriate with ‘(since none puts by the curtain I have drawn for you, but I)’
portrait
What does the Duke suggest they may want to ask?
He suggests that they may want to ask the Duke how Fra Pandolf was capable of such an expressive portrait, conveyed by ‘seemed as they would ask me if they
durst’ but the Duke’s commanding presence discourages any questions of this nature.
How does the Duke treat the portrait?
It is clear the Duke treats the portrait as his possession just as he treated the Duchess when she was alive.
“The Duke has psychopathic character traits.” Explain.
We are made aware that the Duke is possessive and jealous as he states that ‘twas not her husband’s presence only, called that spot of joy into the Duchess’
cheek’.
This suggests his anger that other people or other situations give her similar pleasure.
He imagines the conversation that Fra Pandolf may have had with her which made her ___ suggested by the ‘half-flush that dies along her throat.’
blush
What does the Duke suggest about the Duchess’s behaviour?
The Duke suggests that her behaviour is inappropriate as she blushes even at the slightest ‘courtesy’ which he sees as beneath her status and position.
He greatly resents that the smallest thing is ‘cause enough for calling up that spot of joy.’
Instead of seeing his Duchess’ qualities as endearing and suggesting her innocence because she
blushes easily, he is ____ of her.
resentful
