My Last Duchess

• My Last Duchess


  Poem about an Italian Duke who has supposedly killed his first wife and is now planning another wedding
• The poem is set in a time and a place (the Italian resistance) when art was heavily valued within society
• The conflict within the poem is subtle but displays itself in the power the Duke has over the Duchess' life
• Conflict arose when the Duke realised he couldn't control his wife, and he retaliated by killing her, which is an abuse of his power and control
• The reader's interest invoked from "My Last Duchess"


  It raises questions such as: why is it his "last Duchess"? Is she dead? If so, how has she died?
• The Duke is emphasising and boasting about his wealth

  With reference the famous artists that painted for him - "Fra Pandolf" / "Claus of Innsbruck" to demonstrate his influence and wealth
• The Duke expects to be her entire life and purpose in life

  Her life has the aim of pleasing and being pleased by him. Complete domination of her life. Also presents him as paranoid
• The Duke has power over others and people are scared of him

  So as a consequence wouldn't dare ask him about the painting
• The Duke believes it is possible his wife would flirt with a monk


  Shows how much envy has corrupted him
• The Duke boasts about his wealth and status

  A reflection about how the woman is now owned by her husband, as she has to take his name and then loses all legal rights
• The Duke's murder of his wife

  A euphemism for her murder. Shows the power he has - can just kill her without consequence, but also shows such an overreaction - murder is a sign of lack of control
• The Duke's male entitled pride

  He won't lower himself to talk to his wife and confront her about what he fears, as it would show him as paranoid and weak. Suggests there's no point arguing with a woman as she is so far below him, and incapable of rational thinking
• The metaphor of Neptune


  Suggests he sees himself as god-like - men are gods that must tame their wives. Shows the excessive hubris and pride of the duke
• The Duke's materialism


  He places a lot of value in a statue "thought a rarity", clearly believing his status and wealth should be seen as more valuable than anything available to the common man
• The opening line "My Last Duchess"

  Raises questions such as: why is it his "last Duchess"? Is she dead? If so, how has she died?
• The line "I call that piece a wonder"


  Is ominous as it suggests the Duke viewing the subject of his dead wife as a piece of art rather than sentimentally as his wife, immediately suggesting she was only ever a possession to him
• The possessive pronoun "my"


  The speaker of the Duke establishes control from the very start
• The rhetorical question "will't please you sit and look at her?"


  Implies that the Duke is in sole control
• My Last Duchess


  Browning's criticism of the Duke's abuse of power and the inequality in who holds power
• The opening


  • Raises questions such as: why is it his "last Duchess"? Is she dead? If so, how has she died?
• Ferrara: '"That's my last Duchess painted on the wall, Looking as if she were alive. I call That piece a wonder, now: Frà Pandolf's hands Worked busily a day, and there she stands."'
• The line "I call that piece a wonder" is ominous as it suggests the Duke viewing the subject of his dead wife as a piece of art rather than sentimentally as his wife
• Possessive pronoun "my"


  Establishes the Duke's control from the very start
• The Duke: '"will't please you sit and look at her?"'
• The opening immediately sets up a sinister tone for the piece, as the phrase "as if she were alive" shows that the Duchess has died
• Iambic Pentameter


  • A classic of English poetry, reflects the Duke's traditional and conservative views of women, demonstrates his sense of pride and superiority
• Single verse / No stanzas

  • Makes the poem feel overwhelming and tiring, mirrors the Duke's power and dominance, shows only his view is given
• Enjambment


  Allows the poem to flow and seem more like a natural conversation, presents the Duke as weak and unbalanced as he is getting carried away and rambling
• Caesura


  Shows the Duke's speech as poorly planned or formed as he keeps interrupting himself, makes the poem seem rambling and breaks up rhythm
• Possessive pronouns "my"


  Shows the Duke has ownership of the Duchess, she is a possession not an individual
• The language used is simple, which works to make it seem like a normal conversation and draws more emphasis to the places where literary devices are used
• Power


  • The Duke expected the Duchess to find him to be her entire life, he gains complete domination of her life
  • He is paranoid, reading affairs into everything
  • As a painting he can control who gets to see and enjoy her
  • He criticises every flaw he found in her
  • He uses an obvious euphemism for her murder which shows the power he has
  • He wants his wealth and status to be more important, which shows his materialism
• Lack of Power


  • The Duchess is presented as innocent, embarrassed by compliments and pleased by nature's beauty
  • There is a very strong case for her innocence, it is unlikely she was flirting with a monk
  • He is scared of female sexuality and of confronting his fears
  • He wants the envoy to know he expects his new duchess to be obedient and submissive from the start