My Last Duchess

Question 1

Key themes/surface meaning?

Answer 1

speaker is showing off his power, suggesting control over the duchess’s life. Conflict between who he presents or wants himself to be and who he really is as a character.

Question 2

Deeper meaning?

Answer 2

Men often see others as objects, for their own pleasure. Man is conceited at his core. When men are given power, they use it tyrannically. When they have power, they refuse to let others have autonomy

Question 3

Quote 1 and explanation?

Answer 3

‘that’s my last duchess’- Possessive pronoun the speaker is laying claim to her as a possession, she is used to better show off his control and power.

Question 4

Quote 2 and explanation?

Answer 4

‘Broke in the orchard for her’ - He is angry that she would find the same level of joy in the expensive gifts he bought her and the cheap or simple gifts of the poor or nature. Angry at his lack of control. He juxtaposes the two things though the irony is that his are without sincerity

Question 5

Quote 3 and explanation?

Answer 5

‘As if alive’ - Her in a painting satisfies him as much as she did in real life, as a possession. The question shows a change of tone to return to the civil and polite way in the start. This helps give the poem a circular structure.

Question 6

Structure?

Answer 6

dramatic monologue, uses caesuras to capture the tone of the speaker.

Question 7

Poet?

Answer 7

Browning