Analysis of "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning: Portrait of Jealousy and Control
The poem "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning delves into the twisted mind of the Duke of Ferrara as he showcases a painting of his late wife, revealing his jealousy, possessiveness, and desire for control. Through his interactions with an emissary, the Duke unveils his disdain for his deceased wife and implies her involvement in illicit affairs. The poem highlights themes of power, artistry, and the darker aspects of human nature within an aristocratic setting in Italy.
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My Last Duchess Robert Browning L 1-2 The speaker of the poem is the Duke of Ferrara ; this provides the reader with location ( Italy ) and aristocratic environment. The poet sets the scene for the poem , focusing the reader s attention on the painting on the wall . It is for the Duke s dead wife who appears to come back to life through the artistry of the painting.
L3-4 The poet emphasizes that the painter , Fra Pandlof , an imaginary figure , was a master who created a work of art that made the dead woman seem so animated. Besides , the Duke uses words like wonder and busily a day to ridicule both his wife and the painter. The Duke then shows a mocking tone . We see that he is jealous of the painter who fussed over the Duchess and who finally created only a portion of a masterpiece.
L5 The Duke is addressing the emissary ( who is to make arrangements for the Duke s upcoming marriage ) . He asks the emissary to sit in chair and gaze upon the painting.
L6-9 The artist is well known and prestigious . The Duke (being arrogant) may imply that it is his own talent for hiring this artist which is responsible for the life like quality of the picture. He also stresses that all viewers including the emissary remark upon this quality . The Duke seems to be much concerned with the picture than with the real woman , his dead wife. This is seen in the use of its instead of her . The Duke seems to jealous of the painter as a rival for his wife s affections and held him responsible for the Duchess passionate glance . be
L10-13 The painting shows striking depth and passion that all viewers have wanted to know the reason beyond the Duchess passionate glance . The Duke shows his desire for control as well as his possessive nature when he comments that none puts by \ The curtain I have drawn ., but I .
L14-15 The Duke tells the emissary that it was not his presence which made his wife happy or caused that spot of joy (blush). The Duke insinuates that this blush must have come to the Duchess face either from being in the company of a lover or from her too impressionable nature.
L 16-21 There is some illicit pleasure which might have caused the Duchess to blush . If the painter was not the Duchess lover , then it was her too susceptible nature.
L 22-34 The Duke begins a long list of complaints against the Duchess. First , she was innocent , too easily impressed and pleased. He blames her for not seeing any difference between being the wife of a Duke , being able to see the sunset , receiving a bouquet from someone of a humble status or riding a white mule . While he thinks it is fine to be courteous , she gave all men the same respect that only a man like the Duke deserves.
L 35- 43 The Duke announces that even though her faults were many , he would not lower himself stoop by telling her what bothered him . The Duke is well skilled in speech though he says the opposite . He explains that even if he had the skill to tell her how much she disgusted him , he would not explain to her how and why her actions bothered him . In doing so he would only stoop when he chooses never to stoop.
L44-48 These lines contain the speaker s final judgment on the Duchess . He recalls his dead wife s smile and how she never reserved her smile for him. So he gave commands after which all smiles stopped together . It is ambiguous . The Duke may mean that he used his power to restrict her behaviors and curb her friendliness or he may have ordered her assassination.
L49-53 The Duke redirects his attention to his upcoming marriage. He tells the emissary that he is certain his future bride s father will give him a generous dowry. The Duke wants to be seen as a man more concerned with his bride than with any money she might bring to their union though the reader is unlikely to trust the Duke s words.
L54-56 The final image of the poem is that of a god , Neptune , taming a sea- horse. This image of the powerful god taking over a creature like a sea horse demonstrates the relationship between the Duke (Neptune ) and the last Duchess( a sea horse ). It is as if by pointing out this sculpture to the emissary , the Duke is restating his power over his future bride . It also shows us the Duke s desire for control and possessive nature.
