“The ​bough of cherries some officious fool..."

• 1. Disapproval and Jealousy – “The bough of cherries some officious fool / Broke in the orchard for her”

  The Duke’s use of the word “officious fool” reveals his deep disdain for anyone who seeks to please the Duchess or gain her favor. “Officious” implies that the fool is overly eager, perhaps in a way the Duke finds irritating or inappropriate.
• By calling the act of breaking a “bough of cherries” a “foolish” one, the Duke emphasizes how even the smallest gestures of kindness or attention toward the Duchess are exaggerated or misunderstood. In his eyes, the “fool” is simply indulging the Duchess in a way that feeds into her excessive nature. This reflects his jealousy and possessiveness—he resents any attention his wife receives that doesn’t come from him.
• The act of breaking the cherry bough may also symbolize the fragility of their relationship, suggesting that even small actions (such as someone bringing her fruit) can disrupt the perfect image he wants to maintain. The orchard and cherries evoke themes of natural beauty and innocence, which the Duke seems to believe is being tainted by this unnecessary act.
• 2. The White Mule – “The white mule / She rode with round the terrace”

  The white mule is a significant image because white often symbolizes purity or innocence. However, in the context of the poem, it contrasts with the Duke’s idea of purity. He might view the white mule as a symbol of her independence or a vehicle through which others could interact with her. To the Duke, the mule might represent a more public or accessible form of enjoyment for the Duchess, which further fuels his possessive nature.
• The mule also suggests humility, but the Duke’s tone implies that even this simple, humble act—riding around the terrace on a mule—is a source of irritation because it attracts attention and allows the Duchess to engage with others. His obsession with controlling her movements and who gets to see her or interact with her is highlighted here.
• 3. Desire for Validation – “All and each would draw from her alike the approving speech, / Or blush, at least.”

  • This part of the quote highlights the Duchess’s generosity in giving praise or attention to everyone around her. The Duke’s frustration is clear, as he believes that the Duchess should reserve her attention and approval exclusively for him. To him, her kindness and pleasantness toward others is seen as insincere or immoral.
• The phrase “the approving speech, / Or blush, at least” reflects the Duke’s expectation that any person who interacts with his wife should seek his approval and that her response should be submissive or flattering to him. A simple blush would be enough for the Duke to feel that she is acknowledging him as the ultimate authority in her life. He resents the idea that the Duchess could show equal attention or affection to others, and in his mind, this behavior is undignified or unbecoming of her status.
• • Jealousy and Possessiveness: The Duke’s irritation at the Duchess’s interactions with others highlights his controlling nature. His jealousy is not just confined to romantic rivals but extends to anyone who gets too close to his wife, even in seemingly innocent interactions. The Duke expects exclusivity, and his deep dissatisfaction with her behavior suggests that he could not accept the idea of the Duchess being her own person, interacting freely with those around her.
• Objectification and Control: The Duke consistently objectifies the Duchess, reducing her to a possession that exists for his pleasure and approval. The cherry bough and mule are part of a pattern in which the Duke is preoccupied not with the Duchess as a person but with her external actions and how they reflect on his ownership of her. He controls her image, her actions, and even the way others interact with her.
• Critique of the Duchess’s Behavior: The Duke frames the Duchess’s behavior as flawed or naïve—she is too generous with her attention, making him feel that she is not loyal or obedient enough. This speaks to the patriarchal norms of the Duke’s time, where women were expected to show deference to their husbands and maintain a level of submissiveness that the Duchess did not adhere to in the Duke's eyes.