My last duchess

Question 1

Poem’s form

Answer 1

The poem is a dramatic monologue written in iambic pentameter. This reinforces the impression that the Duke is in conversation with his visitor. The rhyming couplets show the Duke’s desire for control, but the enjambement suggests that he gets carried away with his anger and passions. This creates a picture of a somewhat unstable character, whose obsession with power is unsettling.

Question 2

Poem’s structure

Answer 2

The poem is framed by the visit to the Duke’s gallery, but the Duke gets caught up talking about the Duchess instead of just describing the art. The poem builds to a kind of confession, before the identity of the visitor is revealed, the Duke moves on to talking about another artwork.

Question 3

Poem’s themes

Answer 3

• Power of man
• Power of memory