My Last Duchess

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

  Robert Browning
• What is the main theme of "My Last Duchess"?

  • Power and control
  • Jealousy and possessiveness
  • Critique of societal norms
• What is the setting of "My Last Duchess"?

  Italian Renaissance
• What does the Duke show to the visitor in the poem?

  A painting of his dead wife
• How does the Duke control the visitor's experience in the poem?

  By making him sit and admire the painting
• What does the Duke criticize about his late wife?

  She was "too easily pleased"
• What does the Duke imply by saying he was not eloquent enough to tell her to stop?

  He felt justified in ordering her death
• What does the Duke plan after discussing his late wife?

  Arrangements for his next marriage
• Who is the Duke of Ferrara also known as?

  Alfonso II
• What societal changes were occurring during the time "My Last Duchess" was written?

  Social mobility and women's rights movements
• What was the status of women in Victorian society?

  They had no legal rights
• How does the Duke view his wife's happiness?

  As a reflection of his own worth
• What does the line "I choose never to stoop" suggest about the Duke's character?

  He believes he is superior to women
• What does the Duke's reference to "my gift of a nine-hundred-year-old name" imply?

  His wealth and status define his wife's value
• How does the Duke's attitude towards art reflect his character?

  He values art over human life
• What does the Duke's control over the painting symbolize?

  His control over his wife's life
• What does the Duke mean by "Then all smiles stopped together"?

  His wife was killed
• What does the Duke's reference to Neptune suggest about his view of masculinity?

  He sees himself as a god-like figure
• What is the significance of the poem's title "My Last Duchess"?

  • Implies ownership of the Duchess
  • Suggests finality and loss
  • Raises questions about her fate
• How does Browning use the dramatic monologue format in "My Last Duchess"?

  • Provides insight into the Duke's character
  • Allows for a biased perspective
  • Highlights the absence of female voices
• What are the key themes explored in "My Last Duchess"?

  • Power dynamics in relationships
  • Jealousy and possessiveness
  • Critique of societal norms and gender roles
• How does the poem reflect Victorian attitudes towards women?

  • Women seen as property
  • Lack of legal rights and autonomy
  • Criticism of patriarchal society
• What role does art play in "My Last Duchess"?

  • Symbolizes control and possession
  • Reflects the Duke's values
  • Highlights the contrast between life and art
• What is the title of the poem discussed?

  My Last Duchess
• What questions does the title "My Last Duchess" raise?

  Why is she the last Duchess? Is she dead?
• What does the phrase "as if she were alive" suggest about the Duchess?

  It implies she has died.
• How does the Duke view the Duchess according to the line "I call that piece a wonder"?

  He views her as a piece of art.
• What does the possessive pronoun "my" indicate about the Duke's attitude?

  It shows his sense of ownership.
• What does the rhetorical question "will’t please you sit and look at her?" imply?

  The Duke is in control of the situation.
• How does the structure of a single verse affect the poem's tone?

  It makes the Duke's presence feel overwhelming.
• What does the lack of stanzas in the poem suggest about the Duke's perspective?

  It shows only his view is presented.
• How does the stream of consciousness structure reflect the Duke's character?

  It shows his lack of control over himself.
• What is enjambment in poetry?

  It is a sentence that runs over multiple lines.
• How does enjambment affect the Duke's portrayal in the poem?

  It presents him as weak and unbalanced.
• What does the use of parentheses and dashes indicate about the Duke's speech?

  It shows his lack of skill in speech.
• How does caesura affect the rhythm of the poem?

  It makes the poem seem rambling and disjointed.
• What does the Duke's use of possessive pronouns reveal about his view of the Duchess?

  He sees her as a possession, not an individual.
• How does the Duke's reference to "my duchess" instead of "my wife" affect the reader's perception?

  It shows a lack of affection and emotion.
• What is the effect of simplistic language in the poem?

  It makes the conversation feel realistic.
• How does the Duchess being portrayed as a painting symbolize her objectification?

  She is something to be admired and controlled.