My last Duchess Flashcards
Plot summary of My last Duchess
“My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning is a dramatic monologue in which the Duke of Ferrara speaks to a messenger sent by a count to arrange a marriage between the Duke and the count’s daughter. The Duke reveals his controlling and possessive nature as he discusses a portrait of his late wife, the “last Duchess.” He describes her as too easily pleased and flirtatious, implying that her behaviour displeased him. The Duke hints that he had her killed. Throughout the poem, the Duke’s arrogance and obsession with power are evident, as he boasts about his art collection and his ability to control who views the portrait. The poem ends with the Duke pointing out another piece of art, a statue of Neptune taming a sea-horse, symbolizing his desire to dominate and control.
Form and Structure
“My Last Duchess” is written in the form of a dramatic monologue. The poem is composed in iambic pentameter, which gives it a rhythmic, conversational tone, reflecting the Duke’s aristocratic status and his desire to maintain control over the conversation. The use of rhyming couplets (AABB) adds a sense of order and formality, mirroring the Duke’s obsession with appearances and control. However, the poem’s enjambment creates a more natural, flowing speech pattern, revealing the Duke’s underlying agitation and lack of true control and how his obsession with power is unsettling. The structure also includes caesurae, which emphasize the Duke’s cold, calculated nature, particularly when he casually mentions his wife’s death.
Language
The Duke’s speech is filled with possessive pronouns like “my” and “mine,” emphasizing his sense of ownership over his wife and his art. His tone is conversational yet commanding, reflecting his arrogance and desire to dominate the conversation. Browning employs irony throughout, as the Duke’s attempts to present himself as refined and cultured are undermined by his casual admission of having his wife killed. The use of euphemistic language subtly hints at the Duchess’s murder, showcasing the Duke’s cold, calculating nature.
“That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall”
The use of the possessive pronoun “my” immediately establishes the Duke’s sense of ownership over his wife, even in death. It reflects his controlling nature and objectification of women.
“This grew; I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together.”
This is one of the most chilling lines in the poem. The euphemistic language implies that the Duke ordered his wife’s death, showcasing his cold, ruthless nature. The caesura (pause) emphasizes the finality of his actions.
“Since none puts by / The curtain I have drawn for you, but I”
The symbolism of the curtain highlights the Duke’s control over his wife even in death. He decides who can see her portrait, reflecting his obsession with power and dominance.
“Notice Neptune, though, / Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity”
The imagery of Neptune taming a sea-horse symbolizes the Duke’s desire to dominate and control, much like the god of the sea. It also serves as a boastful reminder of his wealth and status.
“Will’t please you sit and look at her?”
This rhetorical question is framed as a polite request but is actually a command, emphasizing the Duke’s arrogance and his need to control the situation.
“I choose / Never to stoop.”
The Duke’s refusal to “stoop” to address his wife’s behavior directly reveals his arrogance and sense of superiority. He would rather eliminate the problem than confront it.
Context
“My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning is set in the 16th century and is based on the historical figure Alfonso II, Duke of Ferrara, who lived in Italy. The poem reflects the patriarchal society of the time, where women were often treated as property and men held significant power over their lives. The Duke’s character is inspired by Alfonso II, whose first wife, Lucrezia de’ Medici, died under suspicious circumstances.
Comparisons
Ozymandias by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Theme: Abuse of Power
Both poems explore the misuse of power and the arrogance of those in authority. In Ozymandias, the ruler’s pride and desire for immortality are mocked by the ruins of his statue, while in My Last Duchess, the Duke’s arrogance and control over his wife are exposed through his monologue. Both poems critique the idea that power is eternal or justified.
London by William Blake
Theme: Oppression and Control
Both poems critique systems of power and control. In London, Blake highlights the oppression of the poor and the corruption of institutions like the Church and monarchy, while in My Last Duchess, the Duke’s control over his wife symbolizes the broader oppression of women in a patriarchal society.
Theme of memory
Memory as Possession and Control
Quote 1:
“That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall, / Looking as if she were alive.”
Analysis: The duke objectifies his wife, reducing her to a painting—a frozen memory he can control and display. The caesura (pause) after “wall” creates a possessive tone, as if he is showing off a trophy.
Quote 2:
“She had / A heart—how shall I say?—too soon made glad…”
Analysis: The hesitation and euphemism (“how shall I say?”) reveal his manipulation of memory to justify his cruelty. He rewrites her kindness as a flaw, reinforcing his narcissism.
Quote 3:
“I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together.”
Analysis: The ambiguous, chilling language suggests he ordered her murder. Memory here is not about love, but erasure—he silences her to preserve his pride.
Quote 4:
“Notice Neptune, though, / Taming a sea-horse…”
Analysis: The final mythological allusion parallels the duke’s domination of women. Memory is a tool for repeating control, as he moves on to his next victim.
Theme of Memory
In My Last Duchess, memory is a tool of dominance and manipulation. The Duke curates the past like an art exhibit, reducing his late wife to a painting that he can control. His retelling of events is selective and self-serving, twisting her kindness into flaws to justify his cruelty. The chilling line “I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together” reveals how he erases her autonomy, replacing her living presence with a frozen image. Memory here is not about love, but power—a means to preserve his ego and assert control over history. The poem’s rigid structure (iambic pentameter, no stanza breaks) mirrors his unyielding grip on the narrative, reinforcing how memory can be weaponized by those in power.
