My Last Duchess

• Who is the author of "My Last Duchess"?

  Robert Browning
• What does the Duke mean by "That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall"?

  He objectifies his late wife as a possession
• What technique does Browning use to reveal the Duke’s controlling nature?

  Dramatic monologue
• In which era was "My Last Duchess" written?

  Victorian era
• Where is the setting of "My Last Duchess"?

  Renaissance Italy
• What themes does the poem explore?

  Power, patriarchy, and jealousy
• What does the line "I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together" suggest?

  The Duke ordered his wife's death
• What technique is used in the phrase "all smiles stopped together"?

  Euphemism for murder
• What does the euphemism reflect about the Duke's character?

  His cold, calculated demeanor
• What Victorian concerns does the poem reflect?

  Male dominance and control in relationships
• What does the Duke mean by "Notice Neptune, though, / Taming a sea-horse"?

  He compares himself to Neptune for control
• What do Neptune and the sea-horse symbolize in the poem?

  The Duke’s dominance over others
• How does Renaissance art and mythology relate to the Duke's character?

  It underscores his obsession with status and power
• What technique is used in the comparison to Neptune?

  Symbolism