Poem no.5 of Matric Poetry Set. A line-by-line analysis and summary of "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning. Involving a particular focus on Figures of speech, themes, innuendos, symbolism, and context. To hopefully give a clear and general understanding of a rather long poem.
Structure:
- One Stanza (assist in how it’s supposed to be read, as the speaker long rambling
monologue)
- Weird phrasing
- Enjambement
Rhyme Scheme:
Regular Rhyme Scheme (No flow, however Ironic because made up of rhyming couplets)
E.g., aa, bb, cc → zz and then +4 over ZZ (a1, b1, c1, d1)
Type of poem:
Dramatic Monologue
Only the speaker is involved, someone else (sir/you) is present but never speaks
(Apostrophe)
Speaker:
The duke is a jealous husband, who implies he killed his wife, under the suspicion that she
was cheating/adulterous.
About/Setting:
After the death of The Duke’s late wife and before the marriage to his new wife, The Duke
sees a portrait of his late wife at his engagement party and begins to discuss that
relationship with a guest at the party while giving him a tour of the house.
Important Poetic Elements/Figures of Speech:
Apostrophe (not the punctuation When the speaker directly refers to
mark) someone who isn’t there/present.
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, Innuendo An Indirect remark usually
suggesting/implying something
derogatory. (rude)
Title:
‘My Last Duchess’
“My” – personal, relationship, possessive (objectifying someone)
“Last” – suggest no more/former
“Duchess” – her title (also suggests that the speaker is a Duke)
Part One: Introducing the Portrait to a Stranger
Admirable, Prideful, Boastful, Objectification
1# Hint of flirtation/adultery
Talks to portrait on late wife.
Shows no sense of regret/remorse for
action.
“my” – show admiration
“my” + “painted” – literally/figuratively
objectification.
The speaker has difficulty separating the
That’s my last Duchess painted on painting and the person. (Surface level
the wall, compassion)
“Looking” – looking back fondly (nostalgic)
Looking as if she were alive. I call
“Were alive” – shows she’s already dead
That piece a wonder, now; Fra “Wonder” – painting is deserving of awe
Pandolf’s hands “Fra Pandolf’s” – famous artist name drop
Worked busily a day, and there she (to impress guest)
stands. Innuendo – “hands worked busily”
Will’t please you sit and look at her? (suggesting he was flirtatious/adulterous)
I said “She stands” – ambiguous if he is talking of
person/painting. The speaker has difficulty
“Fra Pandolf” by design, for never separating the painting and the person.
read “you” – refers to guest
“Sit and look” – Invites guest to look at
portrait (again showed sense of control)
“Fra Pandolf” – takes pride in art by
prestigious artist (seen as trophy)
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