my last duchess

• about a Italian duke who supposedly killed his first wife, showing a visitor a painting of her then talking about how he wants to marry another woman
• Possessive pronouns shows how the duchess is only a piece of property

  Symbolism makes the duchess as only a painting
• “if she were still alive” seems ominous and only talking about the possession of the painting instead of the woman, implying he only ever saw her as a possession
• “fra Pandolf” showing off that it was created by a famous artist instead of the fact that his wife is dead. Influence
• “her husband’s presence only caused that spot of joy into the duchess’s cheek” seems unreasonable that only he should make her happy, power and control over her
• “I gave commands and the similes stopped all together” euphemism for murder, shows his power as he can whatever he wants. Murder is a sign of lack of control
• for me!” last words of the poem showing how everything must be about him. Exclusive ownership
• Dramatic monologue showing how he holds complete control, but also criticism as the woman holds no power in society
• Iambic pentapemeter shows the traditional way the duke sees woman and control as it has strict control over the poem
• Only having one stanza makes it seem overwhelming for the reader, also underminds his control as he is unable to control himself
• Women were seen as property of a man. Suke was actually suspected of killing his wife
• Ozymandias

  Similarities: love of themselves comes from power and control over people

  People who abuse power are not remembered in a good light

  Overwhelming power for only one person in society

  Differences: subject of oppression are different
• Checking out me history

  Similarities: both show complete power over a smaller community

  Differences: checking out me history shows a whole community while my last duchess only shows one woman

  Checking out me history is focused on education