My Last Duchess

"My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning

Context

Robert Browning was a Victorian poet known for his dramatic monologues. "My Last Duchess" is a dramatic monologue that reveals the thoughts of the Duke of Ferrara as he shows a painting of his late wife to a visitor. The poem explores themes of power, control, and jealousy.

The Poem

That's my last Duchess painted on the wall,

← Dramatic Irony

Looking as if she were alive. I call

That piece a wonder, now; Fra Pandolf's hands

Worked busily a day, and there she stands.

Will't please you sit and look at her? I said

"Fra Pandolf" by design, for never read

Strangers like you that pictured countenance,

The depth and passion of its earnest glance,

But to myself they turned (since none puts by

The curtain I have drawn for you, but I)

And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst,

How such a glance came there; so, not the first

Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, 'twas not

Her husband's presence only, called that spot

Of joy into the Duchess' cheek; perhaps

Fra Pandolf chanced to say, "Her mantle laps

Over my lady's wrist too much," or "Paint

Must never hope to reproduce the faint

Half-flush that dies along her throat." Such stuff

Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough

For calling up that spot of joy. 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.

Sir, 'twas all one! My favour at her breast,

The dropping of the daylight in the West,

The bough of cherries some officious fool

← Imagery

Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule

She rode with round the terrace—all and each

Would draw from her alike the approving speech,

Or blush, at least. She thanked men—good! but thanked

Somehow—I know not how—as if she ranked

My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name

← Metaphor

With anybody's gift. Who'd stoop to blame

This sort of trifling? Even had you skill

In speech—which I have not—to make your will

Quite clear to such an one, and say, "Just this

Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss,

Or there exceed the mark"—and if she let

Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set

Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse—

E'en then would be some stooping; and I choose

Never to stoop. Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt,

Whene'er I passed her; but who passed without

Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands;

← Repetition

Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands

As if alive. Will't please you rise? We'll meet

The company below, then. I repeat,

The Count your master's known munificence

Is ample warrant that no just pretense

Of mine for dowry will be disallowed;

Though his fair daughter's self, as I avowed

At starting, is my object. Nay, we'll go

Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though,

← Symbolism

Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity,

Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!

5 quotes + analysis to achieve a grade 9

1. Dramatic Irony: "That's my last Duchess painted on the wall, / Looking as if she were alive."

• Analysis: The Duke's casual reference to his late wife, as if she were merely an object, highlights his possessive and controlling nature. The dramatic irony lies in the fact that the Duchess's lifelike appearance contrasts with her death, implying the Duke's role in her demise.

2. Metaphor: "My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name"

• Analysis: The Duke views his family name as a valuable gift, implying that the Duchess should have shown more gratitude. This metaphor underscores his obsession with status and control, as he believes his heritage should be enough to command her respect and loyalty.

3. Imagery: "The bough of cherries some officious fool / Broke in the orchard for her"

• Analysis: This imagery suggests that the Duchess found joy in simple pleasures, which the Duke interprets as flirtations with other men. It reveals his jealousy and his inability to understand or accept her innocence.

4. Repetition: "I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together."

• Analysis: The repetition of "I" emphasises the Duke's authority and control. The chilling finality of "all smiles stopped" suggests that he ordered the Duchess's death, showcasing his ruthless and possessive nature.

5. Symbolism: "Notice Neptune, though, / Taming a sea-horse"

• Analysis: The statue of Neptune taming a sea-horse symbolises the Duke's desire for control and dominance. Just as Neptune overpowers the sea horse, the Duke seeks to control and overpower his wife, further highlighting his tyrannical nature.

Form & Structure Points

• Dramatic Monologue: The poem is structured as a dramatic monologue, revealing the Duke's thoughts and personality through his speech.
• Rhyming Couplets: The use of rhyming couplets (AABB) provides a controlled, structured form, mirroring the Duke's desire for control.
• Enjambment: The Duke's speech flows continuously, reflecting his obsessive nature and lack of self-awareness.

Example Paragraph for a Grade 9 Answer:

In "My Last Duchess," Browning explores power and control through dramatic irony and metaphor. The Duke's reference to "my last Duchess painted on the wall" reveals his possessive nature, as he treats his wife as an object. The metaphor "My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name" emphasises his obsession with status and control. Imagery in "The bough of cherries some officious fool / Broke in the orchard for her" reveals his jealousy, while the repetition in "I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together" suggests his ruthless authority. Finally, the statue of "Neptune taming a sea-horse" symbolizes his desire for dominance. Through these devices, Browning effectively conveys the themes of power and control...