My Last Duchess

• context

  • a duke is showing a man around his art collection
  • focuses on his relationship with his late wife
• themes

  • abuse of power
  • critique of patriarchy
• " none put by the curtain i have draw for you but i "
• " none put by the curtain i have draw for you but i "

  • even though she has died he is still grasping at power and control over her
  • sees her as an object
  • controls who sees her in death the way he couldn't in life
• " i gave commands and all smiles stopped "
• " i gave commands and all smiles stopped "

  • implied killing
  • yet receives no consequences
  • jealous of how she looked at others
  • frustrated
  • end of happiness and life
  • abuse of power
• " notice Neptune , taming a sea horse "
• " notice Neptune , taming a sea horse "

  • powerful and in control
  • " neptune " - metaphor for the duke - sees himself as god like
  • " sea horse " - vulnerable and defenceless - metaphor for late wife
• comparison

  • ozymandias
  • london