Critical Analysis of "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning

"My Last Duchess" is one of Robert Browning's most famous and widely studied poems. Written
in 1842, it is a dramatic monologue that offers a glimpse into the mind of a Renaissance duke as
he discusses his late wife, the titular "last duchess," with an emissary who has come to negotiate
the duke's next marriage. Here's an analysis of the poem:

Summary

The poem is structured as a monologue delivered by the duke to an unnamed listener,

presumably a marriage broker or envoy. The duke shows the listener a painting of his late wife
and proceeds to describe her, revealing much about his character and the circumstances
surrounding her death.

Themes

Power and Control: The duke's possessive attitude towards his wife and his desire to control her
are central themes of the poem. He resents any display of her affection towards others and sees
her as an object to be owned and manipulated.

Jealousy and Possessiveness: The duke's jealousy is palpable throughout the poem. He expresses
resentment towards his wife's cheerful and innocent nature, interpreting her friendliness towards
others as a personal affront.

Art and Appearance: The duke's obsession with the portrait of his late wife highlights the theme
of appearance versus reality. He cherishes the painting for its ability to capture her beauty and
keep her under his control, even though it cannot convey her true emotions or personality.

Gender and Patriarchy: The poem reflects patriarchal attitudes towards women in the
Renaissance period, where women were often treated as property or objects of male desire. The
duke's treatment of his wife as a possession to be controlled and disposed of at will exemplifies
this theme.

Morality and Ethics: The duke's lack of remorse or empathy for his wife's fate raises questions
about morality and ethical behavior. His callousness towards her death suggests a disregard for
human life and a willingness to sacrifice others for his own satisfaction.

Stylistic Devices

Dramatic Monologue: The poem is presented as a dramatic monologue, allowing the reader to
glimpse into the psyche of the speaker as he reveals his thoughts and emotions.
Irony: Browning employs irony throughout the poem, particularly in the contrast between the
duke's words and the sinister implications behind them. While the duke presents himself as a
refined and cultured aristocrat, his callousness and possessiveness reveal a darker side to his
character.

Symbolism

The painting of the duchess serves as a symbol of the duke's power and control over her. It also
represents the idealized image of womanhood that the duke seeks to possess and manipulate.

Ambiguity

Browning leaves certain details of the poem ambiguous, allowing readers to interpret the duke's
motives and the circumstances surrounding the duchess's death in different ways.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "My Last Duchess" is a compelling exploration of power, jealousy, and control,
told through the perspective of a morally ambiguous and psychologically complex narrator.
Browning's masterful use of dramatic monologue and rich symbolism makes the poem a timeless
masterpiece of English literature.

"My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning

"My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning is a dramatic monologue presented in a single stanza,
but for clarity, we will break it down into segments and provide a detailed explanation for each:

Segment 1 (Lines 1-5)

That's my last Duchess painted on the wall,

Looking as if she were alive. I call
That piece a wonder, now: Frà Pandolf's hands
Worked busily a day, and there she stands.
Will't please you sit and look at her?

Explanation

The duke, the speaker of the poem, directs the listener's attention to a portrait of his late wife, the
duchess. He comments on how lifelike the painting appears, attributing this to the skill of the
artist, Frà Pandolf. The duke's invitation to the listener to sit and observe the portrait sets the
stage for the monologue.
Segment 2 (Lines 6-15)

I said
"Frà Pandolf" by design, for never read
Strangers like you that pictured countenance,
The depth and passion of its earnest glance,
But to myself they turned (since none puts by
The curtain I have drawn for you, but I)
And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst,
How such a glance came there; so, not the first
Are you to turn and ask thus.

Explanation

The duke reveals that he deliberately mentions the artist's name because people are often struck
by the duchess's expression in the portrait and wonder about it. He points out that he alone
controls who sees the portrait by drawing a curtain over it, emphasizing his possessiveness and
control.

Segment 3 (Lines 15-21)

Sir, 'twas not

Her husband's presence only, called that spot
Of joy into the Duchess' cheek: perhaps
Frà Pandolf chanced to say, "Her mantle laps
Over my lady's wrist too much," or "Paint
Must never hope to reproduce the faint
Half-flush that dies along her throat."

Explanation

The duke speculates on what might have caused the duchess to blush, suggesting that it wasn't
just his presence that made her happy. He hints that innocent comments from the artist could
have brought joy to her, indicating his jealousy and insecurity about her interactions with others.

Segment 4 (Lines 21-34)

Such stuff
Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough
For calling up that spot of joy. 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.
Sir, 'twas all one! 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. She thanked men,—good! but thanked
Somehow—I know not how—as if she ranked
My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name
With anybody's gift.

Explanation

The duke criticizes the duchess for being too easily pleased and too friendly with everyone she
encountered. He feels that she valued everything equally, from simple pleasures like the sunset
or a gift of cherries to his prestigious heritage. This, to him, diminished the significance of his
noble lineage and his gifts.

Segment 5 (Lines 35-47)

Who'd stoop to blame

This sort of trifling? Even had you skill
In speech—which I have not—to make your will
Quite clear to such an one, and say, "Just this
Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss,
Or there exceed the mark"—and if she let
Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set
Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse,
—E'en then would be some stooping; and I choose
Never to stoop. Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt,
Whene'er I passed her; but who passed without
Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands;
Then all smiles stopped together.
Explanation

The duke reflects on his unwillingness to "stoop" or humble himself to correct the duchess's
behavior. He suggests that even if he had tried to explain his displeasure, it would have been
beneath him to do so. Ultimately, he reveals that he "gave commands" which led to the cessation
of her smiles, implying that he had her killed.

Segment 6 (Lines 47-56)

There she stands

As if alive. Will't please you rise? We'll meet
The company below, then. I repeat,
The Count your master's known munificence
Is ample warrant that no just pretense
Of mine for dowry will be disallowed;
Though his fair daughter's self, as I avowed
At starting, is my object. Nay, we'll go
Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though,
Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity,
Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!

Explanation

The duke shifts the conversation back to the present, asking the listener to join him in rejoining
the company downstairs. He assures the envoy that his demands for a dowry will be met, but
emphasizes that his primary interest is in the count's daughter, his next prospective wife. As they
leave, he points out another art piece, a bronze statue of Neptune taming a sea-horse,
underscoring his love for art and his need for control and dominance.

In summary, "My Last Duchess" is a powerful monologue that reveals the duke's controlling,
jealous, and ruthless nature, using the portrait of his late wife to reflect on themes of power,
possession, and the objectification of individuals.