My Last Duchess

Question 1

What are the THEMES presented in ‘My Last Duchess’?

Answer 1

• Power of Humans
• Memory
• Pride
• Identity

Question 2

Complete the quotation:
“(Since none puts by
The ——- I have drawn for you, but I)”

Answer 2

“(Since none puts by
The CURTAIN I have drawn for you, but I)”

Curtain - Noun symbolises the control he has over her, even in her death. Emphasis his controlling and possesive nature

Question 3

Complete the quotation:
“Will’t —— you sit and look at her?”

Answer 3

“Will’t PLEASE you sit and look at her?”

Please - Retorical Question emphasises his power and pride, as he poses a command as a question.

Question 4

Complete the quotation:
“This —-; I gave ——–;
Then all smiles stopped together.”

Answer 4

“This GREW; I gave COMMANDS;
Then all smiles stopped together.”

Grew; - Caesura highlights his swift, cold, and ruthless nature, as he didnt hesitate to stop her from smiling.

Commands - Noun re-enforces his controlling, cruel, and cold nature

Question 5

What is the Contectual knowledge of ‘My Last Duchess’ by Robert Browning:

Answer 5

• Loosely based this poem on the Duke of Ferrara.
• A critique of the oppressive nature of patriarchal authority.