‘My last Duchess’ – Robert Browning Flashcards
what is the general over view for ‘My last Duchess’
Spoken by the duke of Ferrara to his emissary to arrange his marriage. The duke describes the painting of his last wife and depicts to the emissary how that marriage was, but throughout the poem hints a warning of what he did to his last wife.
what are the Key themes in ‘My last Duchess’
- Power and Control
The Duke is obsessed with power—not just over his wife, but over how others perceive her. He controls the painting of the Duchess, hiding it behind a curtain that only he can draw. - Possession and Objectification
The Duke sees the Duchess more as a possession than a person. He refers to her smile and behaviour as things he should be able to own or manage. - Jealousy and Pride
The Duke was jealous of how easily the Duchess smiled at everyone—not just him. - The Duke presents a calm, polite front, but underneath is sinister and controlling.
what are some language points in the poem ‘My last Duchess’
*Dramatic Monologue - we only hear his voice
- Enjambment and Structure - Lines flow into each other without full stops (enjambment), creating a conversational and natural tone.
- He says things like “my last Duchess,” “I gave commands,” and “my gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name.” This shows his controlling, possessive nature.
The painting is a major symbol—he prefers a version of the Duchess he can control. - euphemism of the death of his ex wife - He never directly says he had the Duchess killed—he says: “I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together.”
- Tone
Starts polite and charming, but gradually reveals arrogance, bitterness, and even danger. The shift in tone keeps the reader on edge as we slowly realize the Duke is not as innocent as he seems.
What are some form points in the poem ‘My last Duchess’
- Iambic pentameter is used. This gives the poem a formal, controlled feel—mirroring the Duke’s desire for control.
- The poem uses rhyming couplets (AA, BB, CC…) all the way through. This could reflect how the Duke tries to keep a tight grip on everything—even his words.
*The poem is one long stanza, 56 lines with no breaks. This mirrors the Duke’s uninterrupted control over the conversation
What other poems does ‘My last Duchess’ link to ?
Half-Caste – by John Agard
Links through: Voice, Misunderstanding, Challenging attitudes
War Photographer – by Carol Ann Duffy
Links through: Control of Image, Death, Emotional Distance
The Tyger – by William Blake
Links through: Power, Creation, Mystery, Control
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night – by Dylan Thomas
Links through: Power, Death, Legacy
La Belle Dame sans Merci – by John Keats
Links through: Obsession, Love and Control, Power shift
