Subjects

Careers

Open the App

Subjects

Explaining My Last Duchess by Robert Browning: Line by Line Analysis and Summary PDF

Open

31

1

user profile picture

Harriet

27/04/2023

English Literature

My Last Duchess Annotations

Subjects

/

English Literature

Explaining My Last Duchess by Robert Browning: Line by Line Analysis and Summary PDF

Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess" is a chilling dramatic monologue that reveals the disturbing psychology of a controlling Renaissance duke discussing his deceased wife's portrait with a marriage emissary. The poem masterfully exposes themes of power, jealousy, and possession through its sophisticated narrative structure.

Key aspects:

  • Written in rhyming couplets with iambic pentameter, reflecting the Duke's rigid control
  • Set in Renaissance Italy, featuring the historical Duke of Ferrara
  • Explores themes of possession, power, and patriarchal authority
  • Reveals the Duke's disturbing personality through subtle implications
  • Demonstrates Robert Browning's mastery of dramatic monologues
...

27/04/2023

1024

<p>The dramatic monologue "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning introduces the Duke of Ferrara, who proudly displays a painting of his late

View

Page 2: The Duke's Confession and New Prospects

The second page reveals the full extent of the Duke's tyrannical nature and hints at his wife's fate. His discussion moves from past grievances to current marriage negotiations, showing his unchanged character.

Quote: "This grew; I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together."

Highlight: This chilling line strongly implies the Duke had his previous wife killed for her perceived disobedience.

The poem concludes with the Duke discussing dowry arrangements while showing off another artwork - a bronze Neptune taming a sea-horse, which symbolically reflects his desire to control and dominate.

Definition: The "nine-hundred-years-old name" refers to the Duke's ancient noble lineage, which he values above human qualities.

Example: The final image of Neptune taming a sea-horse serves as a metaphor for the Duke's approach to marriage and power.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Ranked #1 Education App

Download in

Google Play

Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

4.9+

Average app rating

21 M

Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 17 countries

950 K+

Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.

Subjects

English Literature

 

English Literature

•

1,024

•

27 Apr 2023

•

2 pages

Explaining My Last Duchess by Robert Browning: Line by Line Analysis and Summary PDF

user profile picture

Harriet

@harrietnewsome

Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess"is a chilling dramatic monologue that reveals the disturbing psychology of a controlling Renaissance duke discussing his deceased wife's portrait with a marriage emissary. The poem masterfully exposes themes of power, jealousy, and possession through... Show more

<p>The dramatic monologue "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning introduces the Duke of Ferrara, who proudly displays a painting of his late

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 2: The Duke's Confession and New Prospects

The second page reveals the full extent of the Duke's tyrannical nature and hints at his wife's fate. His discussion moves from past grievances to current marriage negotiations, showing his unchanged character.

Quote: "This grew; I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together."

Highlight: This chilling line strongly implies the Duke had his previous wife killed for her perceived disobedience.

The poem concludes with the Duke discussing dowry arrangements while showing off another artwork - a bronze Neptune taming a sea-horse, which symbolically reflects his desire to control and dominate.

Definition: The "nine-hundred-years-old name" refers to the Duke's ancient noble lineage, which he values above human qualities.

Example: The final image of Neptune taming a sea-horse serves as a metaphor for the Duke's approach to marriage and power.

<p>The dramatic monologue "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning introduces the Duke of Ferrara, who proudly displays a painting of his late

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: The Duke's Introduction and Initial Revelations

The opening section of "My Last Duchess" establishes the dramatic situation as the Duke shows his visitor a portrait of his deceased wife. The Duke's controlling nature becomes immediately apparent through his language and behavior.

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

Highlight: The use of "my" and the present-tense description emphasizes the Duke's sense of ownership, even after his wife's death.

Vocabulary: "Frà Pandolf" refers to a fictional artist, whose mention reveals the Duke's pride in his art collection.

The Duke's description of his wife's tendency to blush at compliments and find joy in simple pleasures reveals his growing jealousy and possessiveness. His criticism of her "easily impressed" nature demonstrates his disapproval of her natural warmth and humanity.

Example: The Duke's displeasure at his wife's appreciation of a sunset or "the bough of cherries" shows his unreasonable expectations of exclusive devotion.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

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

iOS user

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

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

iOS user

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