My last duchess Flashcards
Context
Published in Victorian era 1842
Brown lived in Italy, British poet
may have been inspired by duke of ferra-his wife dies in suspicious circumstances the rumour was she has been poisoned
What quotes shows a patriarchal society?
“MY”-Duke is possessive, self-obsessed believes his wife belongs to him sees her as an object
fits the expected roles.sets the tone
What quotes shows the Duke was jealous?
“HER LOOKS WENT EVERYWHERE”-was the duchess a flirt?is he paranoid hates the fact other men look at her
“DROPPING OUT THE DAYLIGHT”-she was humble ,grateful and innocent she liked the little things-but Mary Wollastone craft said if women are child like they are actually weak
How is authority shown?
“COMMANDS”-noun specific authority he can dispose her takes on a new role that he kills her
he think he deserves respect
“WILL YOU RISE?”-He is commanding but it is seen as a question. Social superior demanding from an inferior
Duke is stood up and envoy is sat down so he has to look up at the Duke shows he’s high in status -Look up to him as the Duke is a role model
What quotes show power?
“NOTIC NEPTURE …A SEA HORSE”
in Latin it means “covering” he is covering her up shows how much possession he has over the painting
Romans would sacrifice bulls for Neptune so does the duchess become the sacrifice
sea horse-is sacred to Neptune it belongs to him just like how the duchess belongs to the duke
How is the theme of power,violence and control shown?
Women had no control
Duke lack of remorse that his wife murdered
absolute power by the standards he refers to she did not meet and he would not go down to her level
Obsessed with controlling his wife that he uses her power to get her killed
How is the theme of gender inequality shown?
1800s women had no right they belonged to their husbands when the women were married she became the legal property of her husband
- The dukes obsession with fixing the behaviour of his wife links to Victorians society obsession with the reputation of women being perfect
- Victorian men are weaken by their dependency on power that they have over women. Men saw their wife’s as a reflection of them selves because they controlled them.
How is the theme jealousy and pride shown?
He was jealous of all the attention his wife got from others he wanted her to be his possession only
His own jealousy led him to suspect her of infidelity
What monologue is the poem written in/what does the rhyming couplet and stanza reflect?
Wrote in dramatic monologue reveals thoughts of the duke
ONE REGULAR STANZA- shows self obsession,controlling,powerful and dominance
HEROIC RHYMING COUPLETS-controlled restrained tone pushing the poem on s the duke relentlessly pursues his next bride
Why is enjambment and caesura used?
ENJAMBEMNT-speech is uninterrupted possibly builds up of Duke frustration
CEASURA- Duke is manipulating the listen he controls what he says and what the listeners hears
What does the verb taming show?
zoomorphism animal characteristic he tamed the duchess
He made her submissive
he is dominant and give commands and she is docile and under controlled
