Critically analyse Browing’s ‘My Last Duchess’
"My Last Duchess" is a dramatic monologue written
by Robert Browning, published in 1842. The poem tells the story of a Duke who
is showing an emissary a portrait of his late wife, the Duchess, and describing
her behavior that led to her death. The poem is a prime example of the dramatic
monologue form, where the speaker reveals their inner thoughts, motivations,
and character through their speech.
The main character in the poem, the Duke, is a complex and
sinister figure. He is a powerful and wealthy nobleman who is used to getting
what he wants. The poem explores his possessiveness, jealousy, and his tendency
to control those around him. He is describing the portrait of his last wife and
making it clear that she was not able to meet his expectations, so he had her
eliminated. He speaks about her smiling and how it made him so jealous that he
couldn't stand it anymore. He believes that she should have been more obedient to him and less open to other people.
The poem also explores the theme of power and control. The
Duke is a powerful figure who is used to having control over others, and he
expects the same from his wife. He expects her to be submissive and obedient to
his will, and when she fails to do so, he takes extreme measures to maintain
his control.
Critically analyse Browing’s ‘My Last Duchess’
The poem also delves into the theme of art and
representation. The portrait of the Duchess serves as a symbol of the Duke's
control over her, even after her death. He sees the portrait as a possession
and a way to control her memory, and the way he speaks about it makes it clear
that he sees her as an object rather than as a human being.
In conclusion, "My Last Duchess" is a powerful and
thought-provoking poem that explores themes of power, control, and the
objectification of women. The Duke's character is complex and sinister, and the
poem serves as a commentary on the societal expectations of obedience and
submission that are imposed on women. It also critiques the way in which
powerful men can use art as a means of control, both over the lives of others and
over their memories.
What is the analysis of the character of the Duchess in My Last Duchess
In Robert Browning's poem "My Last Duchess," the
character of the Duchess is not directly present in the poem, but is instead
described by the Duke, who is the speaker. The Duchess is portrayed as a young
and beautiful woman who is described as having a "heart too soon made
glad." She is also described as having a smile that the Duke found too
open and too easily given to other people.
The Duchess is a character who is controlled and objectified
by the Duke. She is seen as a possession and is expected to be obedient to the
Duke's will. She is not given any autonomy or agency and is only described in
terms of how she pleases or displeases the Duke. The Duke speaks about her as
if she is a work of art, something that can be owned and controlled.
In the poem, the Duchess is portrayed as a passive and
submissive character, who is not able to stand up against the Duke's authority
and jealousy. She is a victim of the Duke's possessiveness and his inability to
tolerate any form of independence or autonomy on her part.
It is important to notice that the Duchess is never heard or
seen in the poem, her voice is silenced, and her thoughts and feelings are
never acknowledged. This is an example of how the patriarchal society of the
time often reduced women to objects, rather than individuals with their own
personalities and desires.
In conclusion, the Duchess in "My Last Duchess" is
a character who is objectified and controlled by the Duke. She is not given a
voice or agency and is only described in terms of how she pleases or displeases
the Duke. The poem critiques the societal expectations of obedience and
submission that are imposed on women and how powerful men can use them as
possessions.
What is the poet's message in My Last Duchess?
The poet's message in Robert Browning's "My Last
Duchess" is multifaceted and can be interpreted in different ways, but
some of the key messages include:
- The dangers of possessiveness and jealousy: The Duke's possessiveness and
jealousy towards his wife are the main cause of her death. The poem serves as a
warning against the dangers of these emotions and how they can lead to
destructive and even deadly consequences.
- The objectification of women: The Duke speaks about the Duchess as
if she is a possession or a work of art, rather than a human being. This can be
seen as a commentary on how women were often objectified and treated as
property in the patriarchal society of the time.
- The theme of power and control: The Duke is a powerful figure who is
used to having control over others and expects the same from his wife. The poem
explores the theme of power and control, and how it can be used to manipulate
and oppress others.
- The theme of societal expectations: The Duke expects his wife to be
submissive and obedient to his will, and when she fails to do so, he takes
extreme measures to maintain his control. This can be seen as a commentary on
the societal expectations of obedience and submission that were imposed on
women in the 19th century.
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