Analyzing "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning
Explore how Browning uses language and structure to portray the Duke's character in relation to the Duchess in the poem "My Last Duchess." Delve into the historical context and significance of the title change. Uncover the chilling portrayal of control and possession in the dramatic monologue as the Duke reveals unsettling details about his late wife.
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On EastEnders this week Phil The Duke Mitchell liaises with an associate! In his discussion he reveals a dirty secret While he chats to the unnamed associate he is happy to show off the portrait of his late wife, done by the famous Hello Photographer Fra(nk) Pandolf he praises his wife s beauty seemingly happy that she is dead and can now be controlled Starter: Read the poem. Does it now make sense? He reveals that she often gave her smiles and looks away too easily There was only really one solution she had to disappear ! Let s hope that his new bride will behave herself she needs to remember her place! She is his property after all.
My Last Duchess Robert Browning Aim: Can I explore how Browning uses language and structure to portray the Duke s character, in relation to the Duchess? Starter: What kind of person would live in a house like this?
My Last Duchess Robert Browning What does this suggest about the speaker? What does this suggest? Who is the speaker? Starter: Annotate the title in your anthologies. Aim: Can I develop my understanding of how Browning uses language and structure to portray the Duke s character?
DETAILS: Browning first published poem under the title "I. Italy" in 1842 in Dramatic Lyrics, a collection of sixteen Browning poems. Browning changed the title of the poem to "My Last Duchess" before republishing it in 1849 in another collection, Dramatic Romances and Lyrics. Remember this fact. When you read the poem later think about the significance of the change in title. What difference would this make?
My Last Duchess What are curtains used for? What do they enable you to do? What is a portrait for?
Context: My Last Duchess This poem is loosely based on historical events. The persona is Alfonso II, Duke of Ferrara, in the 16th Century. He married Lucrezia de Medici when she was 14 years old. She dies three years later, possibly having been poisoned.
My Last Duchess What form does the poem take? Dramatic Monologue What is your impression of the tone of the poem?
My Last Duchess What is your initial impression of the Duke of Ferrara? What do you think it was like being married to him? What might he have thought when marrying her? Does it sound like a good relationship?
TASK CARDS Death/Violence Body/Actions Identify all of the words that link to death/violence Identify all of the words linked with body parts or actions Pronouns/Names Create a tally chart of all the pronouns in MLD What do they reveal about the Duke? What themes emerge? Who else features in the MLD? List them and explain who they are. Which phrase shows the Duke had the Duchess killed? What do these words reveal? What does this tell you? Rhythm Look at the last words of every line what do you notice? Vocabulary/Words: You may need a dictionary! Imagery Identify all of the images created Identify all of the words that are difficult/you don t know the meaning of Read each line aloud in turns how many beats are in each line? Draw them to create a simple storyboard for the MLD (It does not have to be arty/amazing)! Find the meaning Why is the monologue structured in this way? Why are they used by Browning?
My Last Duchess - Structure Can you spot the three main structural techniques in the poem? Rhyming couplets, iambic pentameter & enjambment Look at the sentence lengths, what do you notice? What happens on line 46 47? How is tension built?
My Last Duchess How does Browning use language and structure to portray the Duke s personality, as seen in his relationship with the Duchess?
My Last Duchess - Plenary How has Browning used language and structure to portray the Duke s character? How is dramatic monologue important to show his personality? What are the qualities of the Duchess? How do these compare to the Duke? What does he reveal about her as the poem progresses?
