"My Last Duchess" is a dramatic monologue written by Robert Browning in 1842. The speaker in the poem is the Duke of Ferrara, who is speaking to an emissary of the Count of Tyrol. The Duke is negotiating a marriage proposal for his daughter, and the Count's emissary is negotiating the terms of the marriage. As the Duke speaks, it becomes clear that he is a proud and arrogant man, and that he is deeply jealous and possessive of his wife, the last Duchess.
One interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the objectification and possession of women in the Victorian era. The Duke refers to his wife as a possession, saying "My last Duchess painted on the wall, / Looking as if she were alive." This suggests that he sees her as a piece of art, rather than a living, breathing human being. He also speaks of her as if she is a possession, saying "I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together." This implies that the Duchess was expected to obey the Duke's every command, and that her happiness was entirely dependent on his approval.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the power dynamics between men and women in relationships. The Duke is clearly a man of great power and influence, and he expects the same level of obedience and deference from his wife. He speaks of her as if she is a lesser being, saying "I chose / Never to stoop." This suggests that he sees himself as superior to his wife, and that he expects her to always be subservient to him. This interpretation is further supported by the fact that the Duke has complete control over the memory of the Duchess, as he says "I repeat, / The Count your master's known munificence / Is ample warrant that no just pretence / Of mine for dowry will be disallowed." This implies that the Duke can erase any memory of the Duchess that he finds inconvenient or undesirable, further illustrating the power dynamics in their relationship.
Overall, "My Last Duchess" is a deeply disturbing and unsettling poem that offers a glimpse into the toxic and possessive mindset of the Duke. It is a powerful commentary on the objectification and control of women in the Victorian era, and serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unhealthy relationships.
My Last Duchess: A Reflection of Victorian Age Essay Example
Boasting about the painting on the wall, the Duke adopts a cold and dispassionate tone when talking about his wife. . It suggests that the Duke is now getting married again to the daughter of the Count and he talks to the servant to him about the matter of dowry. He repeats the famous artists name twice pretty much show off to the visitor about how much wealth he has to be able to afford this artist. He becomes jealous of every smile and every blush of his wife if it is intentionally or unintentionally intended for someone else. Notice Neptune, though, 55Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity, 56Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me! My favour at her breast, 26The dropping of the daylight in the West, 27The bough of cherries some officious fool 28Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule 29She rode with round the terraceāall and each 30Would draw from her alike the approving speech, 31Or blush, at least. Browning got inspired to write this poem by the history of Alfonso II, the fifth Duke of Ferrara who married Lucrezia de Medici in 1558 when she was only 14.
My Last Dutchess
And who would dare to disobey when he asks to do something? It means that only Duke can see this painting or show it to anyone else if he wants. So, as the Duke reads their faces and knows what they actually want, he himself explains the art of wonder to them. This poem is set in 19th century London, England. Although the duke 's monologue appears on the surface to be about his late wife, a close reading will show that the mention of his last duchess is merely a side note in his self-important speech. He knows that the painting is a masterpiece.
Critical Appreciation
She had 22A heartāhow shall I say? The courtier has noticed the curtain which conceals a painting, and the Duke decides to treat his guest to a viewing of this very special portrait of his late wife. Eventually, "I gave commands; then all smiles stopped together. The fact that he is from an aristocratic lineage and that he carried a nine-hundred-years-old family name most likely means that he is used to ordering people around. My favour at her breast, The dropping of the daylight in the West, The bough of cherries some officious fool Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule She rode with round the terraceāall and each Would draw from her alike the approving speech, Or blush, at least. The Duke then asks his listener who would lower himself to ask her about this strange behaviour or to have an argument with her over this matter? He again points towards the painting and says now there she stands in the painting as if she is still alive. It is never explicitly stated, but it seems as if the Duke did, in fact, murder his last Duchess. There she stands As if alive.
My Last Duchess Interpretation
The whole sonnet has a decisively controlled dramatic energy, from the divulging of the drape that is suggested to go before the opening, to the way he gradually uncovers the points of interest of his story, to his accepting of the emissary's enthusiasm for the story "outsiders like youā¦. Everyone gets surprised to see this art of wonder and admires it. It was without any distinction of persons. She died mysteriously in 1561 aged 17. This is accompished through a process called double masking, in addition to the primary creation of the character or speaker, there exists a secondary creation, a mask which the speaker uses in dealing with the dramatic situation at hand Garratt 116. .
