My Last Duchess

Question 1

My Last Dutchess Context (Robert Browning)

Answer 1

• Dramatic monologue of the speaker Duke Alphonso II of Medena - his wife (Lucretia the Medici) of four years died age 17 in mysterious circumstances
• Italia Renaissance from 1450 to 1650 system of patronage - very wealthy supported artists and had power.But wealth often used for harmful outcomes. Easy to poison someone - abuse of power
• Victorian interested in beauty of Art set alongside moral + political corruption

Question 2

My Last Duchess MUST know

Answer 2

• The poem is a dramatic monologue with the Duke Alphonso II of Medena arranging his new marriage but getting swept up talking about his former wife.
• The change in tone is used to show the sinister undertones and power struggle in the relationship, he is the only one truly at conflict here.
• The poet ironically shows that his man is rich and educated yet a fool in matters of love and honesty, both powerful

Question 3

My Last Dutchess Structure

Answer 3

• The poem is an example of dramatic monologue (a speech given by one character).
• It uses a large number of pauses (caesuras) in the poem along with lines that flow into one another (enjambment) in order to try and capture the tone of the speaker talking away to the messenger and adding in tangents (small opinions and asides).
• The poem uses rhyming couplets and iambic pentameter this reflects the style of romantic poets at the time, despite how this poem is much more sinister and dark.
• It is another façade for the Duke of Ferrara’s character. You will note he is the only character that speaks despite the fact he is talking to someone, he never lets them speak.