Power And Conflict Poetry - My Last Duchess Flashcards
Who wrote My Last Duchess?
Robert Browning
What is the structure?
Dramatic monologue - sinister character
Rhyming couplets and iambic pentameter reflect romantic style of the time
What is the big idea?
The speaker of the poem is showing off his power and control he had over the Duchess’ life
Hubris and pride
That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall
Possessive pronoun - laying claim to her as a possession
Frà Pandolf’s hands
Values art more than Duchess
(since none puts by
The curtain I have drawn for you but I)
Bracketed aside suggests he is privileged to see the painting
spot
Of joy
Enjambment
Pun - not only him that made her happy - implies she was unfaithful
Half-flush that dies along her throat
Sinister tone
A heart - how shall I say? - too soon made glad
Caesura
Rhetorical question - conversational tone
Jealousy and anger/ rage
She thanked men, - good!
Anger and losing control
Who’d stoop to blame this sort of trifling?
Ironically mocking how vain the Duke is about heritage
This grew; I gave commands;
Then all smiles stopped together
Euphemism - suggests he had her killed
We’ll meet the company below then
Shift in tone
Dowry
Interested in money
