My Last Duchess Flashcards
Will’t please you sit and look at her?
Phrased as a question but is really a thinly-veiled threat for all the criticisms he is about to list
Fra Pandolf’ by design
Repetition of this esteemed artist to emphasise his wealth and importance.
(since none puts by the curtain I have drawn for you, but I)
The narrator is implying it is a privilege to be shown the picture.
Sir, twas not her husband’s presence only, called that spot of joy into the Duchess’ cheek
He saw her innocent smiling and blushing as flirting, consuming him with envy.
Paint must never hope to reproduce the faint Half-flush that dies along her throat
Fra Pandolf flatters the Duchess by implying he could never reproduce something so beautiful.
My favour at her breast
The narrator lists things that pleased the Duchess He believes his ‘favour at her breast’ was the priority.
My gift of a nine-hundred-year-old name
Referring to his status yet again.
had you skill in speech(which I have not)
Irony - the narrator has performed a whole dramatic monologue.
she smiled, no doubt, whene’er I passed her, but who passed without much the same smile?
He believed he should receive special treatment as her husband.
I gave commands
Euphemism for murder - another threat.
Though his fair daughter’s self, as I avowed as starting, is my object
A facade that all he wants is the daughter, as opposed to the ‘dowry’ mentioned in the previous line.
if they durst…not the first
Rhyming couplets represent his possessive and strict nature in their relationship
too soon made glad, Too easily impressed
she was cheery and friendly but the Duke saw this as a criticism because he was jealous
