My Last Duchess Flashcards
“my last Duchess”
Possesive pronoun “my” - the speaker is laying claim to her as a possesion. She is used to better show off his control and power
“half-flush that dies along her throat”
The words “dies along her throat” are semantically linked to murder
“My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name”
The poet is ironically mocking how vain the Duke is. He cares more about his herratige and can’t understand that it’s not important for the Duchess
“I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together”
The use of the semicolon gives a sense of finality to the statements, acting as a culmination of the conflict in the relationship.
This whole quote can also be a Euphamism to suggest the fact that she was killed.
“Notice Neptune, though, Taming a sea-horse”
The Duke sees himself as “Neptune” (the Roman god of the sea), who is exercising his power over a defenceless fragile seahorse. - this symbolises both the last duchess and the new bride
What is the context of My Last Duchess?
The poem is loosely based on the Duke of Ferrera and is written in his perspective, talking to a messenger about arranging his next marriage. The assumption being that he was dissatisfied with his former wife and had her killed.
What are the themes of My Last Duchess?
The speaker (Duke of Ferrara) is showing off his power and also suggesting the control he had over the Duchess’s life. There is also conflict between who he presents himself to be and who he really is as a character
What is the Structure of My Last Duchess?
This poem is a dramatic monolouge with lots of caesura and enjambment.
The poem uses rhyming couplets and iambic pentameter, which reflects the style of romantic poems at the time.
