My Last Duchess
Robert Browning
1. That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall.
2. Looking as if she were alive. I call
3. That piece a wonder, now; Fra Pandolf’s (the artist) hands
4. Worked busily a day, and there she stands.
5. Will’t please you sit and look at her? I said
- “Will’t please you sit and look at her?
The word ‘you’ and the question(more like command) indicate that the duke speaking
to someone in particular. He is addressing an emissary (person sent as representative)
negotiating marriage between duke & daughter of the count (obility, lower in rank
than duke) behalf the emissary has come.
- Walking together through house (picture a lavish palace), Duke stops a painting of
deceased wife & form a dramatic monologue, reminisces about her & their relationship
- Also reveals a lot about himself
6. “Fra Pandolf” by design, for never read
7. Strangers like you that pictured countenance, (face)
8. The depth and passion of its earnest glance,
9. But to myself they turned (since non puts by
10. The curtain I have drawn for you, but I)
11. And seemed as they would as me, if they durst, (dare)
12. How such a glace came there; so, not the first
13. Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, ‘twas (it was) not
14. Her husband’s presence only, called that spot
15. Of joy (blush) into the Duchess’ cheek, perhaps
16. Fra Pandolf chanced to say, “Her mantle (cloak) laps
17. Over my lady’s wrist too much,” or “Paint
18. Must never hope to reproduce the faint
19. Half-flush that dies along her throat. (rather ominous)” Such stuff
20. Was courtesy (good manners), she thought, and cause enough
21. For calling up that spot of joy. She had
- Fra Pandolf complimented her, which made her blush
Robert Browning
1. That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall.
2. Looking as if she were alive. I call
3. That piece a wonder, now; Fra Pandolf’s (the artist) hands
4. Worked busily a day, and there she stands.
5. Will’t please you sit and look at her? I said
- “Will’t please you sit and look at her?
The word ‘you’ and the question(more like command) indicate that the duke speaking
to someone in particular. He is addressing an emissary (person sent as representative)
negotiating marriage between duke & daughter of the count (obility, lower in rank
than duke) behalf the emissary has come.
- Walking together through house (picture a lavish palace), Duke stops a painting of
deceased wife & form a dramatic monologue, reminisces about her & their relationship
- Also reveals a lot about himself
6. “Fra Pandolf” by design, for never read
7. Strangers like you that pictured countenance, (face)
8. The depth and passion of its earnest glance,
9. But to myself they turned (since non puts by
10. The curtain I have drawn for you, but I)
11. And seemed as they would as me, if they durst, (dare)
12. How such a glace came there; so, not the first
13. Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, ‘twas (it was) not
14. Her husband’s presence only, called that spot
15. Of joy (blush) into the Duchess’ cheek, perhaps
16. Fra Pandolf chanced to say, “Her mantle (cloak) laps
17. Over my lady’s wrist too much,” or “Paint
18. Must never hope to reproduce the faint
19. Half-flush that dies along her throat. (rather ominous)” Such stuff
20. Was courtesy (good manners), she thought, and cause enough
21. For calling up that spot of joy. She had
- Fra Pandolf complimented her, which made her blush
