My Last Duchess- Robert Browning

Course Instructor: Anika Subah Ahmad Upoma

Lecturer, Department of English
The poem is a dramatic monologue.
This poem is written in the voice of a male narrator - an imaginary Italian Duke.

When? Browning wrote the poem in 1842. However, it seems likely that his idea for the
poem was based on Alfonso II, Duke of Ferrara, whose first wife died after three years of
marriage in 1561. The subject matter of the poem – the ‘marriage market’ - would have
ensured that the poem was topical in 1850s Britain.

What? The Duke now wants to marry the Count’s daughter. He is discussing this with
the Count’s representative. As he does so, he shows his guest around his palace. During
the conversation and tour, he reveals a portrait of his previous wife – his ‘last duchess’.
Some key features:

Conversational tone – the language functions to direct, guide and command the
listener.
Disjointed thoughts – his thoughts are interrupted by his asides and commands to the
listener.
Fast rhythm – quite urgent movement from point to point – doesn’t dwell or expand at
length on any particular point.

Use of regular rhyme and rhythm.

Use of enjambment – his thoughts are not completed within a line, instead they carry
on the next line.
 Dramatic monologue

The Duke is very

possessive An imaginary
That's my last Duchess painted on the wall, Looking as artist, name
if she were alive. I call dropping:
everything has
That piece a wonder, now: Fra Pandolf's hands
monetary value
Worked busily a day, and there she stands.
Will 't please you to sit and look at her? I said
"Fra Pandolf" by design, for never read
There is a reason for
He likes Strangers like you that pictured countenance,
drawing the curtain;
beautiful The depth and passion of its earnest glance, it’s so the person
things can see his prized
But to my self they turned (since none puts by
possession
Because of her
The curtain I have drawn for you, but I)
reaction, he And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst, He is also in control
expects to be of who sees it and
How such a glance came there; so, not the first
questioned on it; when.
this adds to his Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, 't was not
paranoia. Her husband's presence only, called that spot
Of joy into the Duchess' cheek: perhaps
 Fra Pandolf chanced to say, "Her mantle laps
Ambiguous – refers Over my lady's wrist too much," or
to a blush but could
also refer to the "Paint Must never hope to reproduce the
manner of her faint She was a modest
death (that is person who got
alluded to later in
Half-flush that dies along her throat:" such
embarrassed by
the poem). stuff Was courtesy, she thought, and cause compliments
enough For calling up that spot of joy. She
had The Duke’s
Her only A heart--how shall I say?--too soon made glad, jealousy; he
crime was Too easily impressed: she liked whate'er starts to reveal
enjoying life She looked on, and her looks went everywhere. more than he
and not planned
Sir, 't was all one! My favor at her breast,
respecting his
rank/title 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 Contrast: genuine
His only pride
Would draw from her alike the approving speech, romance or a posh title,
is in his
he expects her to value
wealthy family Or blush, at least. She thanked men,--good! but thanked the latter more
name
Somehow,--I know not how--as if she ranked
My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name

The repetition of stoop
highlights the Duke’s
belief that he is better
than everyone else
The dashes represent
pauses where the Duke gets
carried away and reveals
personal traits through the
internal thoughts.
He believed that she
was treating all men the
same when she should
have placed him above
everyone else.
A reminder that they
have been sitting and
observing the painting.
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. 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. There she stands
As if alive. Will 't please you rise? We'll meet
The company below, then. I repeat,
The duke reveals his jealousy and paranoia
here by suggesting his duchess was having
an affair.
He admits he is not very good at talking
which suggests he didn’t discuss his
concerns with his wife – he let his
unconfirmed fears control him rather
than approach the real issue. Also
contrasts the fact that this is a very
eloquent speech to the Count’s envoy.
He expects them to both be
open and honest with each
other. But is the Duke?
Ambiguous: suggests he
commanded her to stop smiling
and appreciating life; or, the
more common reading, he had
her killed.
 As the Count is generous, the Duke knows
The Count your master's known munificence he doesn’t have to ask for money as he
This entire monologue is
Is ample warrant that no just pretence knows he’ll receive it anyway – is this his
about the Duke
motivation to make the Count’s daughter
promoting himself to the Of mine for dowry will be disallowed;
his next duchess?
Count’s envoy as he Though his fair daughter's self, as I avowed
wants to marry the
At starting, is my object. Nay, we'll go
Count’s daughter – has
he promoted himself Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though, Consider the setting here
well though? again. Picture the scene.
Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity,
Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for
me! The Duke doesn’t realise how
Robert Browning (1812-1889) much of himself he has given
away in his criticism of his former
wife

The Duchess's "faults" were qualities like compassion, modesty, humility,

delight in simple pleasures, and courtesy to those who served her.
 The Fresco and The Bronze

Look at the two pieces of art. One is an example of a fresco. The latter is a bronze of Neptune.
“… Notice Neptune, though,
Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity,
Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!”

Why does the poem end with these lines? What is being suggested about the Duke, the Duchess and their
relationship? What might it suggest to the Count’s envoy?
The majority of the Duke’s monologue is spent telling
the Count’s envoy about his former wife – his ‘last
Duchess’. During this monologue, he talks about her
actions and personality and this, in turn, explains his
jealousy and anger.
What does the Duchess do which causes the Duke to
become jealous and angry?
What aspects of her personality upset him?