Poems-My Last Duchess Flashcards
Structure-Iambic pentameter
The poem is written in iambic pentameter. Iambic pentameter was often used in Shakespeare’s plays to indicate a character’s wealth and high status.
Browning uses it to highlight the Duke’s obsession with his reputation and how he was viewed.
Structure-First Person Narrative
The use of the first person contributes to the conversational style.
This suggests the Duke felt his actions were normal and acceptable.
This contrasts with the reader’s shock.
Structure-Voice
The form and structure also emphasise the sense of the Duke’s power: his is the only voice in the poem.
This suggests he is controlling as he does not allow anyone else to interrupt his narrative.
Structure-Dramatic Monologue
The form and structure also emphasise the sense of the Duke’s power: his is the only voice in the poem.
This suggests he is controlling as he does not allow anyone else to interrupt his narrative.
“Will’t please you sit and look at her?”
Rhetorical question.
The Duke is posing this as a question, but it is really a command. Emphasises his power and his pride.
“Since none puts by / The curtain I have drawn for you, but I”
Curtain symbol.
Shows he controlled her even in death.
“Notice Neptune, though, taming a sea-horse”
Boastful language to end the poem.
“That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall”
Possessive pronoun.
Use of possessive pronoun “my” throughout links to the Duke’s view that his wife belonged to him.
“This grew; I gave commands…”
“This grew; I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together.”
This is one of the most famous lines in the poem – it implies that he had her killed.
The use of caesura and short phrases highlight the swiftness, coldness and ruthlessness with which he disposed of her life.
“As if she ranked / My gift…”
As if she ranked / My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name / With anybody’s gift.”
Irony.
Implies the Duke is jealous, despite his arrogance.
Comparisons-Human power and the misuse of power
Ozymandias.
London.
Comparisons-Power of memory
War Photographer.
Kamikaze.
The Emigree.
Remains.
