My Last Duchess Summary Line by Line  Robert Browning's poem "My Last Duchess" is a dramatic monologue that tells the story of a Duke who is showing off a painting of his late wife to a visitor. As the Duke speaks, it becomes clear that he is controlling and possessive, and that he may have had a hand in his wife's death.

My Last Duchess Summary Line by Line

Robert Browning was an English poet and playwright who lived during the Victorian era. He was born in 1812 in Camberwell, London, and grew up in a literary family. Browning began writing poetry at a young age and published his first collection, "Pauline," in 1833.

Browning's work was often characterized by its dramatic and psychological depth, and he is widely regarded as one of the most important poets of the Victorian era. He was particularly known for his use of the dramatic monologue, a form in which a character speaks directly to an imagined listener or audience.

Some of Browning's most famous works include "My Last Duchess," "The Ring and the Book," and "Sordello." He was also known for his collaborations with his wife, the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The two exchanged many love letters during their courtship and marriage, and their relationship has become a subject of fascination for many readers and scholars. My Last Duchess Summary Line by Line 

Browning's work was influential both in his own time and in later literary movements. He was admired by many of his contemporaries, including Alfred, Lord Tennyson and William Butler Yeats. In the 20th century, his work continued to be studied and celebrated by writers such as T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound.

Browning died in Venice, Italy in 1889, and was buried in Westminster Abbey in London. His legacy as a poet and writer continues to be felt today, with many of his works still widely read and studied in schools and universities around the world.

Summary

My Last Duchess" is a poem written by Robert Browning, first published in 1842. The poem is a dramatic monologue in which the Duke of Ferrara is speaking to a representative of a count whose daughter he hopes to marry.

My Last Duchess Summary Line by Line  The poem begins with the Duke showing the representative a portrait of his late wife, or "last duchess." As the Duke talks about the portrait, it becomes clear that he is a controlling and jealous man. He accuses his wife of being too friendly with other men, and hints that he may have had her killed.

The Duke goes on to talk about his plans for his next marriage. He wants a wife who will be obedient and never question his authority. He also wants a wife who will be impressed by his wealth and status.

Throughout the poem, the Duke's arrogance and sense of entitlement are on full display. He sees his wife as a possession rather than a person, and is willing to use any means necessary to maintain his power over her.

Despite its disturbing subject matter, "My Last Duchess" is widely regarded as one of Browning's greatest works. The poem is a powerful commentary on male power and privilege, and has been studied and analyzed by generations of literary scholars.

In addition to its thematic depth, "My Last Duchess" is also notable for its use of language and imagery. Browning's use of dramatic irony, in which the speaker's words reveal more than he intends, adds a layer of complexity to the poem. The portrait of the Duchess is also a powerful symbol, representing both her beauty and her imprisonment in a life she cannot control.

Overall, "My Last Duchess" is a complex and nuanced work that continues to captivate readers and scholars alike. Its exploration of themes like power, control, and gender make it a timeless masterpiece of English literature.My Last Duchess Summary Line by Line  

Lines 1-2

The poem begins with the Duke leading the visitor into a room to see a painting of his late wife. He points out the painting and says, "That's my last Duchess painted on the wall, / Looking as if she were alive." This sets the stage for the rest of the poem, as the Duke will spend the next several lines commenting on the painting and his late wife.

Lines 3-6

The Duke goes on to describe the painting in more detail, saying that the artist captured the Duchess's "depth and passion" in the painting. He notes that the painting is so lifelike that the Duchess's "mantle" seems to move, and that the painter even captured a "spot of joy" in the Duchess's cheek.

Lines 7-13

As the Duke continues to speak, it becomes clear that he has mixed feelings about his late wife. He says that she "liked whate'er / She looked on, and her looks went everywhere," suggesting that she was flirtatious and unfaithful. He also mentions that he was not able to control her, saying "she ranked / My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name / With anybody's gift."

Lines 14-21

The Duke then turns his attention to the painting's artist, saying that the man was "a Fra Pandolf" who was able to capture the Duchess's "depth and passion." He notes that the artist was willing to spend several days painting the Duchess, and that he was able to capture a "depth and passion" that was beyond the Duke's understanding.

Lines 22-31

The Duke then shifts his focus to his plans for his next marriage. He says that he has already found a new bride, and that he is negotiating her dowry with her family. He notes that he will not tolerate any of the same behavior from his new wife that he saw in his last Duchess, saying "I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together."

Lines 32-39

As the Duke concludes his comments on the painting, he warns the visitor not to be "too easily impressed." He suggests that the painting and

Lines 32-39

As the Duke concludes his comments on the painting, he warns the visitor not to be "too easily impressed." He suggests that the painting and its subject were mere objects to him and that he had ultimate control over them. He also emphasizes that he is the one who decides how the painting is to be viewed or shared.

Lines 40-45

The poem ends with the Duke returning to his usual charming self, offering to continue the tour of his palace. However, the reader is left with a sense of unease, wondering what exactly happened to the last Duchess and what kind of control and power the Duke holds over his new wife.

 

Themes

The central theme of "My Last Duchess" is power and control. The Duke's actions are motivated by a desire to assert his dominance over his wife, and he uses his wealth and status to manipulate those around him. Other themes that emerge in the poem include jealousy, pride, and art.

OBJECTIFICATION OF WOMEN

Throughout the poem, the Duke praises the art and painting of his wife. He shows that he loves his Duchess more in painting as compared to when she was alive. He values the art more than his wife. His point of view shows that the women are the objects that are supposed to be controlled and possessed. 

My Last Duchess Summary - It also reflects the thinking of Browning’s time when people used to treat women badly in the Victorian era. They were not considered equal as men and were not allowed to stand as independent beings and were controlled by men. Through this poem, the poet actually criticizes this type of viewpoint about women.

PRIDE

The Duke’s pride took the life of his Duchess. He wanted his wife to make him feel special but he never tried to talk to her about it. The Duke tells that he feels his insult in it to explain anything to anyone even to his own wife. He considers it equivalent to stooping and his pride never allowed him to stoop so, in his pride and power he gave commands to kill his Duchess. Moreover, his pride is also shown when he tells the servant that he gave his Duchess his nine hundred years old family name but she didn’t consider it superior to other trivial gifts of others. It shows that he is proud of his family name and social status.

COMMUNICATION GAP

The lack of communication between the Duke and Duchess become the reason behind their problems. In any relationship, communication gap is the main factor that gives rise to misunderstandings. In the poem, the Duke was reluctant to talk to his wife but if he somehow managed to talk to her and explain to her what exactly he wanted from her, then maybe she could have changed herself for him. He never tried to tell her about his feelings and his expectations from her and he ended up taking her life.

MADNESS

In the poem, the Duke tries to rule over his wife. He even tries to control her smiles and blushes. He hates when she smiles for others and thanks to them for their presents. He never even tries to tell her about this but he expects her to become as he wants. It clearly shows his madness. Without even talking to her, he decides to solve the matter by his power. In his madness, he takes the life of his innocent wife just to stop her smiles that are not for him but for others. Maybe, he considers these smiles and blushes equal to having an affair with someone and the insane Duke murders his wife to stop this.

 

Literary Devices

Browning makes use of a number of literary devices in "My Last Duchess," including symbolism, irony, and foreshadowing. The portrait of the Duchess is a symbol of her beauty and her status as the Duke's possession. The irony of the poem lies in the fact that the Duke presents himself as a reasonable and rational man, when in fact he is a cold-blooded murderer. The Duke's comments about the portrait also foreshadow the events that will eventually lead to the Duchess's death.

Historical Context

"My Last Duchess Summary Line by Line " was written in 1842, during the Victorian era in Britain. The poem reflects many of the social and cultural values of this time period, including the belief in the superiority of the upper classes and the strict gender roles that defined the roles of men and women in society.

Conclusion

In "My Last Duchess," Robert Browning portrays a complex and dark character in the Duke, who controls and manipulates those around him, including his own wife. Through the Duke's commentary on the painting, Browning skillfully reveals his possessive nature and obsession with control. The poem is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of power dynamics in relationships.

FAQs

Q. Who is the narrator of "My Last Duchess"?

The narrator is the Duke, who is showing off a painting of his late wife to a visitor.

Q. What is the tone of "My Last Duchess"?

The tone of the poem is dark and foreboding, as the Duke reveals his possessive and controlling nature.

 

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