My Last Duchess
BY ROBERT BROWNING context :
That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall,
I
·
Set in the Italian Renaissance focusing
,
Looking as if she were alive. I call
·
on a controlling (& possibly insane) Duke
That piece a wonder, now; Fra Pandolf’s hands ·
published in the Victorian era 1842
Worked busily a day, and there she stands.
↳ changes that took place in 1842 :
Will’t please you sit and look at her? I said
“Fra Pandolf” by design, for never read industrialisation - resulting in mass
Strangers like you that pictured countenance, migration
The depth and passion of its earnest glance, women > attitudes to women were
-
But to myself they turned (since none puts by changing
The curtain I have drawn for you, but I) religion
-
> scientific developments that
And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst, Contradicted biblical teachings
How such a glance came there; so, not the first
Message (Power) :
Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, ’twas not
political power he is giving commands
:
Her husband’s presence only, called that spot ·
domestic power he is in control of his
:
Of joy into the Duchess’ cheek; perhaps
16 Fra Pandolf chanced to say, “Her mantle laps Wife
17 Over my lady’s wrist too much,” or “Paint Language :
18 Must never hope to reproduce the faint 1. her looks went everywhere
19 Half-flush that dies along her throat.” Such stuff ↳ implies that his wife was promiscuous/
20 Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough
overly flirtations (she wasn't
2) For calling up that spot of joy. She had
↳ the Duke was disgusted by her behaviour
22 A heart—how shall I say?— too soon made glad,
which is ironic
23 Too easily impressed; she liked whate’er
↳ the Duchess was actually humble ,
24 She looked on, and her looks went everywhere.
25 Sir, ’twas all one! My favour at her breast, grateful and had an almost childlike
26 The dropping of the daylight in the West, innocence (line 26)
27 The bough of cherries some officious fool ↳ as a result she is presented as weak
,
28 Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule and undeserving of such a strong
29 She rode with round the terrace—all and each Duke/husband
30 Would draw from her alike the approving speech, . repetition of 'my
2
31 Or blush, at least. She thanked men—good! but thanked ↳ highlights the Duke's possessive
32 Somehow—I know not how—as if she ranked
and self-obsessed nature , she is just an
33 My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name
34 With anybody’s gift. Who’d stoop to blame
object to him
3 'Fra Pandolf' Can artist)
35 This sort of trifling? Even had you skill .
36 In speech—which I have not—to make your will
↳ used to emphasise the Duke's vain
37 Quite clear to such an one, and say, “Just this nature (due to the artist being famous
38 Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss, ↳ 'Fra' meaning brother) suggests that
39 Or there exceed the mark”—and if she let the artist was a monk/religious figure
40 Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set ↳ Browning does this to make it clear that
41 Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse—
the artist was not in fact flirting with
42 E’en then would be some stooping; and I choose
the Duchess as suggested on line 16
43 Never to stoop. Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt,
↳ this gives the reader the impression
44 Whene’er I passed her; but who passed without
45 Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands;
that the Duke was simply paranoid
46 Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands
↳ again highlights the Duchesses innocence
47 As if alive. Will’t please you rise? We’ll meet 4 'Sir' and 'you'
.
48 The company below, then. I repeat, ↳ appears polite to a modern audience
49 The Count your master’s known munificence but it actually isn't
50 Is ample warrant that no just pretense ↳ the Duke maintains his superiority
51 Of mine for dowry will be disallowed;
isocially) and highlights his
52 Though his fair daughter’s self, as I avowed
53 At starting, is my object. Nay, we’ll go
condescending nature
5 line 33
54 Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though,
.
↳ the Duchess should have felt proud to
36 Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!
Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity,
inmerit this (high-class) name
