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My Last Duchess Full Poem and In-Depth Annotations PDF

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Sophia + Charlotte

22/01/2023

English Lang.

My last duchess annotations

My Last Duchess Full Poem and In-Depth Annotations PDF

My Last Duchess by Robert Browning is a dramatic monologue that explores themes of power, control, and jealousy through the voice of a Renaissance duke. The poem provides insight into the duke's possessive and controlling nature as he discusses his late wife's portrait with a visitor.

  • The duke reveals his obsession with controlling his wife's behavior and interactions
  • Browning uses the dramatic monologue form to expose the duke's disturbing personality
  • Key themes include jealousy, power dynamics in marriage, and the objectification of women
  • The poem offers a chilling portrayal of domestic abuse and murder veiled in polite conversation
...

22/01/2023

6262

☆ Dramatic monologue
Suggests his desperation for control.
My Last Duchess-
Ferrara
1
5
Robert
Browning
(1812-1889)
30
wrote many
→
•Ex-wife

View

Page 2 Summary

The second page continues the duke's monologue, further revealing his jealous and controlling nature. He expresses frustration that his wife treated his "gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name" with the same appreciation as any other kindness shown to her.

The duke admits his lack of communication skills, stating he could not bring himself to correct his wife's behavior directly. He viewed such communication as beneath him, saying "I choose / Never to stoop." This reveals his arrogance and inability to engage in healthy marital communication.

Quote: "Even had you skill / In speech - whichIhavenotwhich 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'"

The poem takes a dark turn as the duke implies he had his wife killed, stating "I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together." This chilling line is delivered matter-of-factly, highlighting the duke's lack of remorse.

Highlight: The duke's casual mention of ending his wife's life reveals the extreme consequences of his jealousy and need for control.

The monologue concludes with the duke returning to the business at hand - negotiating a new marriage. He assures the listener that his "object" is the Count's daughter, not just her dowry. This swift transition from discussing his murdered wife to arranging a new marriage underscores his cold, calculating nature.

Example: The duke's comparison of himself to Neptune "taming a sea-horse" in the final lines serves as a metaphor for how he views relationships - the man must dominate and control the woman.

The poem ends with the duke pointing out a bronze statue, once again asserting his wealth and power. This final display of pride and materialism reinforces the duke's character as a man obsessed with control, ownership, and status.

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English Lang.

6,262

22 Jan 2023

2 pages

My Last Duchess Full Poem and In-Depth Annotations PDF

My Last Duchessby Robert Browning is a dramatic monologue that explores themes of power, control, and jealousy through the voice of a Renaissance duke. The poem provides insight into the duke's possessive and controlling nature as he discusses his... Show more

☆ Dramatic monologue
Suggests his desperation for control.
My Last Duchess-
Ferrara
1
5
Robert
Browning
(1812-1889)
30
wrote many
→
•Ex-wife

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Page 2 Summary

The second page continues the duke's monologue, further revealing his jealous and controlling nature. He expresses frustration that his wife treated his "gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name" with the same appreciation as any other kindness shown to her.

The duke admits his lack of communication skills, stating he could not bring himself to correct his wife's behavior directly. He viewed such communication as beneath him, saying "I choose / Never to stoop." This reveals his arrogance and inability to engage in healthy marital communication.

Quote: "Even had you skill / In speech - whichIhavenotwhich 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'"

The poem takes a dark turn as the duke implies he had his wife killed, stating "I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together." This chilling line is delivered matter-of-factly, highlighting the duke's lack of remorse.

Highlight: The duke's casual mention of ending his wife's life reveals the extreme consequences of his jealousy and need for control.

The monologue concludes with the duke returning to the business at hand - negotiating a new marriage. He assures the listener that his "object" is the Count's daughter, not just her dowry. This swift transition from discussing his murdered wife to arranging a new marriage underscores his cold, calculating nature.

Example: The duke's comparison of himself to Neptune "taming a sea-horse" in the final lines serves as a metaphor for how he views relationships - the man must dominate and control the woman.

The poem ends with the duke pointing out a bronze statue, once again asserting his wealth and power. This final display of pride and materialism reinforces the duke's character as a man obsessed with control, ownership, and status.

☆ Dramatic monologue
Suggests his desperation for control.
My Last Duchess-
Ferrara
1
5
Robert
Browning
(1812-1889)
30
wrote many
→
•Ex-wife

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Page 1 Summary

The opening of "My Last Duchess" introduces the dramatic monologue format and provides context for the poem. The duke is speaking to a visitor, showing off a portrait of his late wife and revealing his possessive attitude towards her.

The duke begins by pointing out the lifelike portrait of his "last Duchess" painted by Fra Pandolf. His use of possessive language like "That's my last Duchess" immediately suggests his view of his wife as a possession. He invites the visitor to sit and examine the painting, noting how the artist captured the Duchess's lively expression.

Quote: "That's my last Duchess painted on the wall, / Looking as if she were alive."

The duke's commentary reveals his resentment of his wife's warm and friendly nature. He is bothered that she blushed at Fra Pandolf's compliments and seemed to enjoy attention from others besides himself.

Highlight: The duke's jealousy and need for control are evident as he criticizes his wife for being "too easily impressed" and claims "her looks went everywhere."

Browning uses rhyming couplets and iambic pentameter to give the duke's speech a controlled, measured quality that contrasts with the disturbing content of his words. This formal structure emphasizes the duke's attempt to maintain a polite, aristocratic facade while exposing his true nature.

Vocabulary: Dramatic monologue - A type of poem in which a character speaks to a silent listener, revealing aspects of their personality.

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Paul T

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user