My Last Duchess

Question 1

what is the poem about (4)

Answer 1

1 the duke proudly points out the portrait of the duchess (his former wife) to a visitor
2 the duke was angered by her behaviour as she treated him the same way as everyone else
3 he acted to stop her flirtatious conduct, hinting at murder
4 the duke and the guest walk away from the painting and we discover the dukes visitor is there to arrange his next marriage to another woman

Question 2

what form does the poem take

Answer 2

1 dramatic monologue - gives the reader a clear understanding of the dukes perspective
2 iambic pentameter makes it sound like a natural conversation
3 rhyming couplets shows the dukes desire for control

Question 3

what is the structure of the poem (2)

Answer 3

1 the poem builds towards a kind of confession before the identity of the visitor is revealed.
The reader is lead to wonder if his new wife will suffer the same fate
enjambment is used to show the dukes anger and lack of control over his emotions

Question 4

what is the key context (3)

Answer 4

1 loosely based of duke Ferrara from Italy - his first wife died at 17 in suspicious circumstance
2 in 16th century women’s sexuality was seen as dangerous and was controlled by society through marriage

Question 5

what is the poems message (2)

Answer 5

1 being from aristocracy shouldn’t give you control and power
2 critisises victorian obsession with behaviouR of women

Question 6

key quotations (4)

Answer 6

1 that’s my last duchess painted on the wall/ looking as if she were alive - displaying a portrait of the duchess gives the duke a sense of power and control over her which he was unable to achieve when she was alive. Painting may also serve as a warning to others not to cross him
2 none buts by/ the curtains i have drawn for you but I - he still holds power over her controlling who sees her portrait even after her death
3 she thanked men - good! But thanked / somehow-know not how. This suggests she was unfaithful
4 I gave commands/then all smiles stopped together - this implied he gave the order to have her murdered
5 she had a heart - how shall i say - to soon made glad. Implies Duke became jealous at how easy it was for others to make the duchess happy
6 notice Neptune though taming a sea horse thought a rarity - suggest he is going to tame the next duchess

Question 7

which poem compares

Answer 7

ozymandias

Question 8

how do they compare

Answer 8

1 both poems present powerful and dangerous men
2 both loose control of their power - ozymandias “ trunkless legs” symbol of how insignificant he is now to the region he ruled My Last Duchess - “she thanked men” he became paranoid no longer had the respect from his wife, he suspects she had affairs
3 MLD looses power because she dies but hints we gain power over new duchess O lost power because of power of nature and passing of time
4 both poems show then mens power through art
5 O the poet shows power in over exagerated way - huge statue with quote at base in MLD more subtle and secretive the duke I have drawn for you” he controls who see the painting