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Summary My Last Duchess by Robert Browning, IEB Matric $2.84
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Summary

Summary My Last Duchess by Robert Browning, IEB Matric

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  • Course
  • English Home Language
  • Institution
  • 12th Grade

This document contains a full analysis of the prescribed Matric IEB poem: My Last Duchess by Robert Browning. The poem has been broken down and analysed line by line to ensure it is fully understood by the reader and includes points on the structure and techniques in the poem.

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Document information

  • August 3, 2022
  • 3
  • 2022/2023
  • Summary

Subjects

  • my last duchess
  • robert browning
  • ieb poetry
  • matric ieb 2022
  • matric 2022
  • ieb
  • poetry 2022
  • duchess poem
  • robert browning poetry
  • ieb english home language poems

Written for

  • 12th Grade
  • English Home Language
  • 201
All documents for this subject (1179)

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My Last Duchess
Robert Browning
By Adrian MacKenzie



Background = The poem is about Alfonso Il d’esta, the Duke of Ferrara, who was married to a 14 year old, Lucrezia di Cosimo
Medici. This marriage ended abruptly after her death. The Duke began to discuss a marriage contract to marry the Roman
Emperor’s daughter. An emissary is sent to the Duke to carry out these discussion.

Summary = In this poem the Duke of Ferrara speaks to an emissary who was sent to discuss a new marriage contract with him.
The Duke shows the emissary his collection of artwork and among them is a skillfully painted portrait of his late wife. The Duke is
depicted as authoritative, jealous, insecure and impulsive as he explains the story behind the creation of his late wife’s portrait
before her death. He subtly and indirectly warns the emissary that if the new duchess disobeys his authority, she will be added to
the collection of duchess portraits. The Duke’s clear objectification of women is evident throughout the poem as he views women
as possessions that may be reduced to mere artwork. This further displays his need to feel in control as it is easier to control a
portrait than a living woman.


That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall, → Possessive pronoun assert his control and objectification of duchess

Warning tone (this is what happens to duchesses that are disobedient to their duke)

Looking as if she were alive. I call → Enjambment – conversational tone/flow. Her painting gives life to her dead soul.

That piece a wonder, now; Fra Pandolf’s hands → Caesura makes us ponder. Objectification of duchess as art piece

Worked busily a day, and there she stands.→ Innuendo. She was somehow skillfully portrayed for a day's work.

Note: Alfonso is oppressive, obsessive and controlling. He wondered what Fra did to her to capture her emotions.

Will’t please you sit and look at her? I said → He is polite but commanding

“Fra Pandolf” by design, for never read → Fra Pandolf is a renowned painter. The painting is a prized possession.

Strangers like you that pictured countenance, → Countenance = facial expressions

The depth and passion of its earnest glance, → wonder how he captured such depth and passion in the painting

But to myself they turned (since none puts by → Enjambment & parenthesis continue to support conversational flow

The curtain I have drawn for you, but I) → he is authoritative and controlling

And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst, → people don’t dare ask him about the origin/catalyst of such detail

How such a glance came there; so, not the first → emissary not the first to look upon her and her presence

Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, ’twas not → he invites the emissary to ask questions (warning tone)

Her husband’s presence only, called that spot→ A sense of infidelity – he didn't have full control over her

Of joy into the Duchess’ cheek; perhaps → joy = wasn’t just polite. She was liberal with her inappropriate behaviour.

Fra Pandolf chanced to say, “Her mantle laps → even the monk wasn't exempt from this behaviour

Over my lady’s wrist too much,” or “Paint → wrists are suggestive of flirting. She’s desirous of an male attention.
Must never hope to reproduce the faint

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