My Last Duchess

Question 1

“None puts by the curtain I have drawn for you, but I)”

Answer 1

• it is a privilege to view the painting of the wife, yet the duke always needs to brag
• ironic, duke can control who looks at the painting but not at duchess when she was alive
• was possessive over wife when alive and over picture, but enjambment shows he will forever be obsessed

Question 2

“Much of the same smile? … I gave commands”

Answer 2

• RQ he thinks he deserves special treatment as duchess is kind to everyone, should be an incentive, but as a reader duke is entitled as everyone should be treated with kindness
• imperative verb duke thinks highly of himself, gets others to do his dirty work

Question 3

“Clause of Insbruck cast in bronze for me!”

Answer 3

• Cyclical starts and ends with emphasis on duke himself showing his control and ego
• a famous artist at the time he deserves the best of the best, his wife’s looks reflect upon him, looks are deceiving
• metaphor bronze tarnishes over time, his power over his wife will disappear

Question 4

How does structure reflect the dukes control

Answer 4

• iambic pentameter begins to break down, control over his wife will fade away
• man’s power will never last

Question 5

What’s the form of the poem and what does it show about the duke

Answer 5

• a dramatic monologue showing the dukes selfishness and the fact he enjoys boasting

Question 6

What’s brownings motivation for this poem

Answer 6

• he has a love for history and European culture

Question 7

In society during the 19th century was was common for men and women

Answer 7

• patriarchal society, men held ownership over women reflected in this poem
• murder of the duchess was suspicious, those who are wealthy should abide by the law

Question 8

What are three key quotes from this poem

Answer 8

“None puts by the curtain I have draw for you but I”
“Much of the same smile?”…”I gave commands”
“Clause of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me”