My last duchess

• Took place in Victorian times where patriarchy and suffraggetes are common
• 'my last duchess'

  1. The word 'my' is a possessive pronoun showing that he feels he owns her which links to patriarchy and the power of a man
• 'as if she were alive'

  1. Simile to tell us she's dead
• 'i call that piece a wonder'

  1. Praising the artist as opposed to his wife
• 'Frà pandolfs hands'

  1. The artist who made the painting
• 'Frà pandolf'

  1. Repetition to place a value on his name as he's a popular artist of the time and it emphasises his wealth
• 'depth and passion of it's earnest glance'

  1. Praising the artist yetagain
• 'the curtain I have drawn for you, but I'

  1. He controls her even in her death as he chooses who sees her and who cannot
  2. Patriarchy
• 'twas not her husband's presence only'

  1. Implies she's was cheating on him with the painter
• 'called that spot of joy on the duchess' cheek'

  1. Metaphor for her blushing
• 'perhaps frà pandolf chanced to say'

  1. Blaming him for making her happy
• 'her mantle laps over my lady's wrists too much'

  1. He's criticising and controlling her
  2. Patriarchy
• 'spot of joy'

  1. Repetition to emphasise his jealousy he feels because his lady feels for someone other than him
• 'too soon made glad'

  1. She was too easily impressed for his liking
• 'her looks went everywhere'

  1. She didn't have eyes for just him and implys she's unfaithful
• 'officious fool'

  1. He was jealous so clearly deflecting his insecurity to the person who offered her the cherries
• 'the approving speech'

  1. She thanked them which angered him more as he felt he was loosing control over her
• 'but thanked somehow I know not how's

  1. Implying she thanked them sexually but he doesn't know so the fact he assumed that shows the lack of respect for her
• 'as if she ranked my gift of a nine-hundred years-old name'

  1. Implying she's not worthy of his title
  2. Patriarchy
• 'just this or that in you disgusts me'

  1. Mentions that he's disgusted by her
• 'if she let herself be lessoned so'

  1. He wants to 'teach' and control her
  2. Patriarchy
• 'i gave commands then all the smiles stopped together'

  1. He ordered for her to be killed so she couldn't smile for anyone else anymore
  2. Possession
  3. Patriarchy
• 'his fair daughters self...is my object'

  1. 'my' possessive pronoun
  2. He thinks he owns her - patriarchy