My Last Duchess is a dramatic monologue written by Robert Browning. It was first published in 1842 in his collection Dramatic Lyrics.
The poem tells the story of a Duke who is showing a portrait of his late wife to a servant of the Count whose daughter he is seeking to marry. The Duke describes the late Duchess’s personality and behaviour in great detail, painting her as someone who was very passionate and loving. However, he also makes it clear that she was not always obedient to him, which ultimately led to her untimely death.
The poem raises questions about the nature of love, power, and control. It is one of Browning’s most famous works and is considered to be an excellent example of the dramatic monologue form. My Last Duchess has been adapted for stage and screen on several occasions.
Robert Browning’s “My Last Duchess” is clearly a dramatic monologue depicting the Duke character. Although he does not take part in the conversation, the agent appears to be present. The Duke responds to some of the agent’s queries and creates the dramatic monologue by replying, for example, with a concerned look at his inquiry about the “spot of joy on the duchess’ cheek,” allowing him to make it possible.
The Duke talks about his late wife in a very negative light and it is clear that he is not at all grieving her death. He is, however, quite proud of the fact that he was able to get rid of her. He explains that she was “too soon made glad” and that she “smiled too much”. He also mentions that she liked everyone equally, which probably means that she was not afraid to show her feelings. All of these things bothered the Duke and led him to believe that she was not worthy of being his Duchess.
The poem ends with the Duke revealing his true character: he is a selfish, manipulative man who is capable of murder. The agent’s reaction to this revelation is not shown, but it is clear that the Duke has successfully conveyed his message.
“My Last Duchess” is a fascinating poem that gives us a glimpse into the mind of a sociopath. The Duke is a classic example of a narcissist who cannot stand to be overshadowed by anyone, even his own wife. His lack of empathy and ability to rationalize his actions make him a dangerous individual. This poem is a warning to us all to be careful of those who seem charming and loving on the outside but are secretly harbouring dark intentions.
The poem portrays the Duke as manipulative, superior, self-centered, chauvinistic, jealous, and controlling. All of these traits are demonstrated in the Duke’s conversation about his late wife’s faults and flaws. The Duke inadvertently exposes his own shortcomings and personal character flaws while discussing his deceased wife. Robert Browning’s My Last Duchess is a dramatic monologue told from the standpoint of the Duke of Ferrara. The Count of Tyrol has come to Ferrara to discuss with the Duke his proposed marriage to Countess Dorothea.
In the poem, the Duke tells the story of his previous wife, whom he had killed because she did not show him the proper respect and deference. The Duke claims that he loved his wife very much, but her “free nature” meant that she was constantly flirting with other men and showing them affection. This made the Duke very jealous, and he eventually had her killed so that he could have her portrait removed from his palace.
The Duke’s character is further revealed through his conversation with the envoy. The Duke is very concerned with appearances and what other people think of him. He is also very manipulative, trying to control the conversation so that he can present himself in the best possible light. The Duke is clearly a very dangerous man, and the poem leaves readers wondering if the Count’s daughter will be safe once she marries him.
The Duke frequently refers to the Duchess as “My Last Duchess,” implying that she does not deserve a name because she is his. This is part of his chauvinistic attitude. The Duke does not consider women to be people, but rather animals to be tamed and controlled by a man.
He also feels that it is his duty, as a man, to protect these women and keep them in line. The Duke is furthering the idea that he is above women and they are below him. This can be seen when the Duke says “I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together” (11-12). The Duke is speaking about how he ordered the Duchess to stop smiling because her smile was something that made everyone fall in love with her, and he did not want anyone else to have that power over her.
He wanted her smile to be something that only he could control. The Duke’s controlling nature is also shown when he says “She had / A heart – how shall I say? – too soon made glad, / Too easily impressed; she liked whate’er / She looked on, and her looks went everywhere” (13-16). The Duchess was too easily pleased and the Duke did not like that. He wanted her to be more difficult to please so that he would be the only one who could make her happy.
The Duke’s possessiveness and jealousy are further shown when he says “And yet, God knows, I mean no ill / Nor harm” (17-18). The Duke knows that he is being possessive and jealous, but he does not see it as a bad thing. He believes that it is his right to be possessive and jealous over the Duchess because she belongs to him.
The Duke’s chauvinistic attitude is further shown when he says “I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together” (11-12). The Duke is speaking about how he ordered the Duchess to stop smiling because her smile was something that made everyone fall in love with her, and he did not want anyone else to have that power over her. He wanted her smile to be something that only he could control. This quote shows how the Duke believes that it is his right to control the Duchess and dictate her every move.
The Duke’s dangerous nature is finally shown when he says “Who passed without / Pausing here, / Was pressed, / I told them, / into talk about / Myself” (19-24). The Duke is saying that anyone who dared to talk to the Duchess without his permission was punished. This shows how dangerous the Duke can be when he is not in control.
