My Last Duchess Flashcards
Who was my last duchess written by and when
Robert browning in 1842
Summary of my last duchess poem
The poem is about an Itallian Duke, who has supposedly killed his first wife and is now planning another wedding to another woman. . He displays a painting done of his dead wife and reveals it to a visitor, who is made to sit and admire it.
Context of my last duchess
-encourages the reader to reflect on historical and contemporary gender dynamics, questioning the ways in which power has been used to silence women throughout history. The Duke’s arrogance and sense of entitlement serve as a stark warning about the dangers of unchecked authority, making My Last Duchess a powerful critique of male dominance and societal oppression.
-browning is criticising society because of the cyclic way history finds itself being repeated. The poem suggests that, despite the apparent progress of time, society remains trapped in a cycle of male dominance and female subjugation, with history repeating itself in different forms.
-industrial revolution was occurring where society aimed to become more equal between genders as a result of suffragette movement
Form and structure of my last duchess
-dramatic monologue establishes a power imbalance, as the Duke dominates the conversation and dictates what is heard. His authoritative tone and uninterrupted speech mirror his controlling nature—not only in conversation but in his relationships.
-no female side to the story- This deliberate omission reflects the Victorian reality in which women’s voices were often dismissed or controlled by men, particularly within marriage.
-iambic pentameter which gives the poem a measured, controlled quality, reflecting the Duke’s calculated manner and his belief in his own superiority.
-single stanza which shows the dukes presence is overwhelming as he dominates the room
Key quotes of my last duchess
“She looked on, and her looks went everywhere”
‘Who’d stoop to blame ‘
‘I gave commands then all smiles stopped together’
‘Notice Neptune though taming a sea horse’
Analyse quote ‘she looked on, and her looks went everywhere”
-The word “everywhere” implies that the Duchess’s attention was not confined to the Duke alone, but was instead shared with the world around her. This creates a striking contrast with the Duke’s expectations of her, which seem to be rooted in exclusivity and possessiveness.
-In the rigidly hierarchical and materialistic world the Duke inhabits this openness becomes a flaw, as he believes that his wife should focus entirely on him, given his status and the “gift” of his name.
-The line underscores the Duke’s egotism and his desire to control not just her actions, but even her feelings and expressions. The Duchess’s smiles, her attentiveness to others, and the warmth she extends to people outside of the Duke’s narrow circle are seen as a betrayal in his eyes. This behavior stands in stark contrast to his own controlling nature, where he expects his wife to be a reflection of his desires and status.
-The tone of this line is condescending and critical, as the Duke speaks of his late wife with disdain. He presents her actions—her gazing at others—as though they are trivial and beneath him, expressing a sense of superiority over her.
Analyse quote ‘who’d stoop to blame ‘
-By stating “Who’d stoop to blame”, the Duke implies that even acknowledging the Duchess’s perceived faults would be beneath him. He believes himself to be above confrontation, viewing direct criticism as degrading to his noble status.
-He assumes that she is too naïve or simple-minded to grasp why her actions displease him, and rather than educating or guiding her, he dismisses the idea altogether.This attitude reflects the Victorian and Renaissance-era views on women, particularly among the aristocracy. Women were often perceived as emotionally and intellectually weaker than men, incapable of deep reasoning or rational thought. They were expected to be obedient, submissive, and pleasing to their husbands
-the reader may feel a growing sense of foreboding as they recognize the dramatic irony in the Duke’s speech. He believes he is presenting himself as reasonable and sophisticated, but his words betray his toxic mindset.
Analyse quote ‘I gave commands; then all smiles stopped together’
- this line functions as a euphemism for what is almost certainly an order to have the Duchess killed. By avoiding direct mention of violence, the Duke distances himself from the brutality of his actions, treating the murder as a mere administrative decision rather than an act of cruelty.
-The cold and detached tone of the phrase further underscores the Duke’s lack of empathy. There is no sorrow, regret, or emotional turmoil in his words; instead, his delivery is matter-of-fact, as if he were speaking about a trivial inconvenience rather than a human life. This emotional detachment makes him an even more chilling figure
Analyse quote ‘Notice Neptune though taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity”
-This dynamic mirrors the relationship between the Duke and his late Duchess—he views himself as the powerful ruler, while he sees his wife as something to be tamed and controlled. This reinforces the patriarchal ideology of female subjugation, where women were expected to be obedient, submissive, and entirely devoted to their husbands. The reader is left with a sense of dread for the next Duchess, as the Duke’s complete lack of self-awareness suggests that he will repeat his actions.
-By drawing a parallel between himself and Neptune, the Duke subtly positions himself as a godlike figure who has the right to control those around him.
