My Last Duchess Flashcards
Robert Browning
What does it show?
“That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall”
Shows the Duke’s possession by the use of ‘my’ also creates a sense of pride over the painting of his wife - a wife he later alludes to having killed
What does it show?
“She looked on, and her looks went everywhere”
The Duke criticises the Duchess expressing how he thinks she flirted - her only crime was being a woman, enjoying life and not respecting his rank
This was expected from women in the 1800’s as men were ranked highest in society with women and animals at the bottom
What does it show?
“Her husband’s presence only, called that spot of joy into the Duchess’ cheek”
Suggests the Duke’s frustration in the fact that he didn’t have his wife’s full attention and that she was flattered by other men also
Societal crime - women were property to men, married and unmarried, it was a crime to be disloyal, something that could ultimately result in the death of the wife
What does it show?
“Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt, whene’er I passed her; but who passed without much the same smile?”
Narcissistic-self-centered - this shows how the Duke believed her to be unfaithful as she would treat all men how she treated him (lack of loyalty and respect for her husband)
What does it show?
“I gave commands; then all smiles stopped together”
Suggests finality, the Duke alludes to the killing of his wife in an euphemistic way, not saying what happened which leaves the reader to interpret the event
What does it show?
“Will’t please you rise?”
He quickly dismisses the fact he’s just mentioned having his wife killed
This wouldn’t have been questioned as women were deemed as less than and an addition to men - this links to class/status privilege as well as the Duke’s cold/distant personality as he casually puts it into conversation
What does it show?
“Cast in bronze for me!”
He reverts back to material objects, however, all his money and power will never be able to buy him love
