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Analysis of 'My Last Duchess' by Robert Browning

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Robert Browning's 'My Last Duchess' delves into the dynamics of power and control in the Italian Renaissance. The Duke of Ferrara's monologue exposes his authoritarian nature and the objectification of his late wife, reflecting societal norms that treated women as property. The poem's literary techniques and symbolism critique the historical subjugation of women and the patriarchal structures of the time.

Understanding 'My Last Duchess' by Robert Browning

'My Last Duchess,' a dramatic monologue by Robert Browning, was published in 1842 and is set against the backdrop of the Italian Renaissance. The narrator, the Duke of Ferrara, reveals his personality and attitudes as he describes a portrait of his late wife to an emissary who is arranging his next marriage. The poem is composed of rhymed iambic pentameter couplets, also known as heroic couplets, and spans a single stanza of fifty-six lines. Browning's use of literary techniques such as enjambment, alliteration, and caesura, as well as the Duke's controlling tone, exposes the themes of power, possession, and social norms.
Victorian-era gallery with a life-sized portrait of a woman in a green gown, a dark wood frame, and a marble Greek goddess statue.

The Duke's Critique of the Duchess's Conduct

In 'My Last Duchess,' the Duke expresses his disapproval of the Duchess's behavior, which he considers too friendly and undiscriminating. His monologue reveals a deep-seated jealousy and a proprietary view of his wife, treating her as an object rather than a person. The Duke implies that he was responsible for her premature death, referring to the "commands" he gave that stopped her smiles altogether. The poem critiques the patriarchal society of the time, where women were often seen as property and their autonomy was severely limited by their male counterparts.

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00

The poem 'My Last Duchess' by ______ ______, is a dramatic monologue that was made public in the year ______.

Robert

Browning

1842

01

In 'My Last Duchess,' the ______ of ______ speaks to an emissary about his deceased wife's portrait, while the poem explores themes of ______, ______, and ______ norms.

Duke

Ferrara

power

possession

social

02

Duchess's demeanor critique

Duke disapproves of Duchess's geniality; sees it as undignified and too indiscriminate.

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