My Last Duchess (MLD)

Question 1

“That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall”

Answer 1

• The Duke introduces the painting of his former wife, displaying possessiveness and pride.
• Browning sets the tone for the Duke’s controlling nature and objectification of women.

Question 2

“Will’t please you sit and look at her?”

Answer 2

• The Duke commands the visitor to view the painting, asserting his control.
• Browning illustrates the Duke’s dominance and manipulation over the conversation in this dramatic monologue.

Question 3

“But to myself they turned (since none puts by

The curtain I have drawn for you, but I”

Answer 3

• The Duke reveals his exclusive access to the painting, demonstrating his control over who sees it.
• Browning portrays the Duke’s possessiveness and desire to maintain power over his wife.

Question 4

“— Sir, ‘twas not

Her husband’s presence only, called that spot

Of joy into the Duchess’ cheek; —”

Answer 4

• The Duke suggests that the Duchess’s blush was caused by others, insinuating her flirtatious nature with the euphemism “spot of joy”.
• Browning highlights the Duke’s jealousy and possessiveness towards his deceased wife.

Question 5

“A heart — how shall I say? — too soon made glad”

Answer 5

• The Duke’s menacing criticism of the Duchess’ nature implies her lack of discernment.
• Browning exposes the Duke’s belief in his superiority and his desire for complete control.

Question 6

“She thanked men — good! but thanked”

Somehow — I know not how”

Answer 6

The Duke condemns the Duchess’ gratitude towards men as Browning underscores the Duke’s disdain for her judgment through the use of exclamations and interruptions, revealing his repressed anger.

Question 7

“Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt,

When’er I passed her; but who passed without

Much the same smile?”

Answer 7

• The Duke recalls the Duchess’s smile, revealing his frustration at her perceived lack of devotion.
• Browning suggests the Duke’s growing resentment and eventual violent action against his wife through his use of repetition and sibilance.

Question 8

“— I gave commands;

Then all smiles stopped together.”

Answer 8

• Browning describes the Duchess’ murder implicitly as “all smiles stopped” at his “command”.
• This conveys the Duke’s absolute power over his wife.

Question 9

“Will’t please you rise? We’ll meet

The company below, then …”

Answer 9

The Duke abruptly turns from the conversation about his former wife, with the courtly formality of his language reflecting his manipulative nature and desire for power.

Question 10

“Notice Neptune, though,

Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity”

Answer 10

• The Duke directs attention to an artwork, suggesting his authority and control.
• Browning reinforces the Duke’s narcissism and his desire for admiration and exclusive ownership.
• Clearly demonstrating to the reader that Browning is clearly a feminist and is against the patriarchy