Robert browning my last duchess analysis line by line. Robert Browning 2022-10-20

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Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess" is a dramatic monologue written in the voice of the Duke of Ferrara, who is speaking to an envoy of the Count of Tyrol. The Duke is describing a portrait of his last duchess, which he has had painted to show off her beauty. As he speaks, it becomes clear that the Duchess was a strong-willed woman who did not always do as she was told, and that the Duke had her killed because of this.

The poem begins with the Duke showing off the portrait to the envoy, saying "That's my last Duchess painted on the wall, / Looking as if she were alive." This opening line sets the scene and introduces the main subject of the poem, the Duke's last duchess. It also hints at the Duke's ego and his desire to show off his possessions, including his wife.

The Duke goes on to describe the Duchess's beauty and her charm, saying "I call / That piece a wonder, now: Fra Pandolf's hands / Worked busily a day, and there she stands." Here, the Duke is emphasizing the skill of the artist who painted the portrait and the beauty of the Duchess. However, the use of the word "wonder" suggests that the Duke sees the Duchess as an object rather than a person.

As the Duke continues to speak about the Duchess, he reveals that she was a strong-willed woman who did not always do as she was told. He says "She had / A heart—how shall I say?—too soon made glad, / Too easily impressed; she liked whate'er / She looked on, and her looks went everywhere." This passage shows that the Duchess was easily pleased and that she enjoyed many things, suggesting that she was curious and open-minded. However, the Duke sees this as a flaw, saying "Sir, 'twas not / Her husband's presence only, called that spot / Of joy into the Duchess' cheek." He is implying that the Duchess was not always happy when she was with him, and that she derived joy from other sources.

The Duke's resentment towards the Duchess becomes clearer as he continues to speak, saying "I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands / As if alive." This passage reveals that the Duke had the Duchess killed because she did not always do as she was told. The use of the word "commands" suggests that the Duke saw the Duchess as his property and that he expected her to obey him. The line "Then all smiles stopped together" is particularly chilling, as it shows that the Duke had the power to end the Duchess's life simply because she did not always conform to his wishes.

In the final lines of the poem, the Duke reveals his true feelings towards the Duchess, saying "I choose / Never to stoop." This suggests that the Duke sees himself as superior to the Duchess and that he believes he is entitled to control her. The use of the word "choose" emphasizes the Duke's power and his belief that he has the right to make decisions for others.

Overall, "My Last Duchess" is a powerful and disturbing poem that explores the themes of power, control, and ego. Through the voice of the Duke, Browning reveals the dangerous and destructive consequences of these themes, as the Duke's desire for control leads him to kill the strong-willed and independent Duchess.

My Last Duchess Poem Summary And Line By Line Analysis By Robert Browning In English • English Summary

robert browning my last duchess analysis line by line

Masculinity seems to extend outward into patriarchy and inward into the family; masculinity represents the power of inheritance, the consequences of the traffic of women, and the promise of social privilege. Have you read these? She had A heart—how shall I say? Alfonso admits to the emissary that his wife smiled at him as a mark of love, but he felt that the same smile was produced to anyone who passes her by. Musical Devices in Poetry What makes poetry musical? Stanza 3: One who never turned his back but marched breast forward, Never doubted clouds would break, Never dreamed, though right were worsted, wrong would triumph, Held we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better, Sleep to wake. Both poems are part of the AQA poetry anthology in the Power and Conflict section. However, Alfonso expresses that it is too low to bend to her level and try to mend her ways even if it is possible. In literature, authors use persona to express ideas, beliefs, and voices they are not able to express freely, due to some restrictions, or because they cannot put into words otherwise. Robert Browning portrays the character of the Duke with egoistic attitude and a man who likes to dominate the scene rather than getting deluged by the ideas of others.

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Robert Browning’s Poetry “My Last Duchess” Summary & Analysis

robert browning my last duchess analysis line by line

She was the one who would derive gladness from anything quickly. The poem begins with a poet on a retrospective mode. My favour at her breast, The dropping of the daylight in the West, The bough of cherries some officious fool Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule She rode with round the terrace—all and each Would draw from her alike the approving speech, Or blush, at least. The Duchess, according to him, had a kind heart that was readily made joyful at any time. He ends this stanza with questioning who he was in the world, what role did he have.

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Analysis Of My Last Duchess : Line By Line

robert browning my last duchess analysis line by line

My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name By marrying her, the Duchess has adopted the surname of the Duke and the Duke describes this and the honour and respect that goes with his long-standing, high-class family as a gift to her that she should be grateful and in his debt for. Or blush, at least. He claims to be a man free of doubts whether some misfortune would befall him. What is My Last Duchess quotes? Coincidently the last duchess is why the Duke is unsuccessful in obtaining power. The desperate need to do this mirrors the efforts of Victorian society to mold the behavior—gsexual and otherwise—gof individuals.

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My Last Duchess, Robert Browning Poem Analysis/Annotations

robert browning my last duchess analysis line by line

He feels that the image is alive and discerns the painting as a remarkable achievement. This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together. How is power and conflict presented in My Last Duchess? This phrase very much reiterates his previous complaints that she is overly impressed and entertained, especially by men. The duke is unsuccessful in his desires because he is not seen by others in the way he wishes to be seen. Example: wide-eyed and wondering while we wait for others to waken Onomatopoeia: Onomatopoeia comes under the sound device and in Onomatopoeia, the mimic sounds are used. These dramatic monologues are similar in the ways that the two lovers of the women each kill their lover.

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Robert Browning

robert browning my last duchess analysis line by line

Persona is also sometimes a role assumed by a person or a character, in public or in society. He then asks his guest to stand up. In this stanza, the persona is discussing the painting as the monologue opens. Line 48- 53 The company below, then. This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together.

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[ Summary] Matery for Poetry 2

robert browning my last duchess analysis line by line

Has to hide her smile because even though she is dead he still feels powerless in comparison to her. My favour at her breast, The dropping of the daylight in the West, The bough of cherries some officious fool Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule She rode with round the terrace—all and each Would draw from her alike the approving speech, Or blush, at least. Function of Figurative Language: Fugitive language is used in the literature to enhance the reading experience of the readers and it allows them to feel the same situation that the writers expressed in the pieces of writing. We break free of confusions that plague us only to fight better. The poem deals with feelings of pride and ownership, which fit well into the power and conflict collection.

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Robert Browning’s My Last Duchess Analysis Essay Example

robert browning my last duchess analysis line by line

A part of Asolando, his collection of poetry, it is the final poem penned by him on his death day. Browning wrote two famous dramatic monologue poems called Porphyrias Lover and My Last Duchess. Image repetition: Can also achieve a powerful effect as in the recitation of images of whiteness in Moby Dick. Everything the Duchess looked at was to her liking and acclaim. Immediately, Alfonso tries to establish a negative impression on the Duchess so that he could gain from it. The rhetorical question is also very significant as it is an example of euphemistic language which is an attempt by the Duke to hide his controlling nature and disdain towards her and convey indecision about him which lessens the emotion in the words and his speech. However, her childish nature is brought forth by Browning in the lines 26-30.

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What is the poem My Last Duchess by Robert Browning about?

robert browning my last duchess analysis line by line

The duke concludes his conversation, and they begin to descend. He is terrified to speak to her because he feels he will not be able to explain his feelings well enough, he does not think that they will be interested in him, therefore, holding him back. Bid him forward, breast and back as either should be, "Strive and thrive! In this paper, I will examine the connections of the narrators and how their desires cause them to feel insecure in their manhood. Stanza 1: At the midnight in the silence of the sleep-time, When you set your fancies free, Will they pass to where—by death, fools think, imprisoned— Low he lies who once so loved you, whom you loved so, —Pity me? Through the characterization of Santiago, Hemingway is expressing his belief in the struggle against unconquerable natural forces of the world. The Duke being hegemonic and Prufrock leaning towards more feminine masculinity. When Prufrock is at the party he wishes he could speak to a woman but continues to ask himself questions, earning for a response. He reveals to him that this statue was created out of bronze specifically for him by Claus of Innsbruck.


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