My Last Duchess

Question 1

Who wrote My Last Duchess

Answer 1

Robert Browning

Question 2

My last duchess context

Answer 2

Based on italian Duke of Ferrara Alfonso II
The dukes first wife died and he remained 3 years later

Question 3

Robert Browning - Context

Answer 3

Victorian poet
Lived in Italy
Uses Dramatic monologue for sinister characters
He loved art

Question 4

My last duchess Summary

Answer 4

The Duke wants to marry the Counts daughter
He is discussing with a representative
During his conversation and tour of the palace he reveals a picture of his last duchess

Question 5

Important quotations - My last dutchess

Answer 5

My last Duchess → shows possesoon / ownership, ‘last implies expendable, showing the dukes cruelty
Spot of joy → innocence and naiveity
Too soon made glad, too easily impressed → Jealousy / outrage of duke
Bough of cherries some officious fool broke → innocence (+euphemism)

I choose never to stoop → pride, authority, power (emphasised by caesura)
I gave commands, then all smiles stopped together → ‘together’ suggest finality
Ideas of violence / power / manipulation + control

Question 6

My last Duchess - structure

Answer 6

Uses dramatic monologue → sinister character

Written in Iambic Pentameter → importance

1st person → Duke has control over the situation

Question 7

Tones in My last Duchess

Answer 7

Insecurity
Spite
Superiority
Outrage
Sinister