My Last Duchess Flashcards
Robert Browning
context:
1. Author
2. Time period
3. interests
4. basis of MLD
- Robert Browning
- Victorian Poet
- interested in european history
- based on 16th centure duke of Italy - Alfonso II of Ferrrara- and his wife (Duchess)- died at 17
summary of MLD
The duke has a visitor (who we learn is there to arrange his next marriage) and he proudly points out a portrait to this visitor about his last wife, who was known for her flirtatious behaviour, that he gave commands to kill.
type of poem and verse- effect
dramatic monologue written in Iambic pentameter- conversation with visitor
stanza arrangement
1 continuous stanza- rambling, out of control, can’t stop himself
rhyme &. punctuation
rhyming couplets (fool, mule) show the Duke’s desire for control and structure
enjambent + causera cause the Duke to appear to get carried away by his emotions and anger
this + 1 stanza creates an unstable character in the form of the Duke, whose obsession with power in unsettling
desire for power;
‘my last D—– painted on the w—… as if she were —–’
‘none puts by the ——– I have ——- for you’
‘s— of j–’ x2 (repeated)
spot of joy
repition of this phrase shows how the innocence of blushing bothered the Duke when the Duchess was alive- is jealous. wanted control of her during life
first line: my last Duchess painted on the wall… as if she were alive
sets up the tone she is dead
none puts by the curtain I have drawn for you
ironic- controls who sees the Duchess i death but couldn’t do when alive. power hungry control freak
‘too e—— i———-‘
‘her l—– went e———’
‘the bough of ——– some ———– —– Broke in the ——— for her’
too easily impressed
her looks went everywhere
dramatic monolgue- reveals motive for killing was of sexual nature
the bough of cherries some officious fool Broke in the orchard for her
enjambent= carried away with anger
status: degrades others- believes he is the best
overplays the misdemeanours of the Duchess in his memory- portrays an innocent act as shameful thoughts manipulated.
‘My —- of a ——- - ——- years-old —–’
My gift of a nine-hundred years-old name
believes that staus in marriage is more important than a loving union and is proud of his history. alternatively shows his rich identity- could show his entitled attitude.
‘This [?] grew; I gave ——–; Then the ——– stopped together’
This [smiles] grew’ I gave command; Then the smiles stopped together
dramatic irony: we know it’s death
euphemistic metaphor for death
shows power of duke
also shows his cynical identity
on the other hand- the imperative of commmand shows the controlling nature of the duke.
‘Notice ——– ,though, T—– a s– - h—–, thought a ——’
Notice Neptune, though, Taming a sea-horse thought a rarity
Thinks of himself as a GOD ad the Duchess and his wives as animals that belong to him alternatively shows him using his status and wealth to give subtle hints to the visitor how his wife should behave. shows the power and pride of the duke.
how is human power presented
link one point to last word
HUMANS ABUSE POWER:
DUKE USES POWER FOR CONTROL
1. controls who sees painting
2. only hear duke in the conversation
SOME HUMANS POWERLESS;
3. the duchess was killed for not valuing his name and smiling
USES POWER TO BENEFIT HIM:
4. kills duchess
DAMAGING:
5. makes you self obsessed like the DUKE- LAST WORD is ‘me’ showing how power and status of his 900 year old name has driven him to become ego-moniacal
narrator + effect
2 person conversation yet we only hear duke- power.
how is memory presented
- thoughts are easily manipulated- takes his wife’s actions out of context- cherries
- unreliable- takes the spot of joy as cheating
- damaging- thoughts of cheating caused duke to give commands- euphemism for death
how is pride presented
leads to arrogance
duke proud of his name and collection
presents the duke like he is proud of the death
