My Last Duchess Analysis

Overview

This lecture provides an in-depth analysis of Robert Browning’s poem "My Last Duchess," covering poet background, historical context, summary, themes, language, structure, and interpretations relevant for student study.

Poet Background & Context

• Robert Browning (1812–1889) was a Victorian poet known for dramatic monologues.
• "My Last Duchess" was published in 1842, set during the Italian Renaissance but written in Victorian England.
• Victorian England saw shifting gender roles, with women’s rights and social status under intense scrutiny.
• Women in this time had few rights: they became their husband’s property, could not testify in court, or vote.

Poem Summary

• The poem features a Duke showing a painting of his last wife to an envoy, revealing his jealousy and control.
• The Duke describes his wife as too easily pleased and implies he had her killed for not valuing him enough.
• He is negotiating a new marriage while showing off his power and possessions.

Themes & Ideas

• Major themes include power, gender roles, and patriarchy.
• The Duke’s political and domestic power illustrates male dominance and control over women.
• The poem critiques Victorian obsessions with female purity and reputation.
• It suggests male weakness tied to the need to control women.

Language Analysis

• The possessive pronoun "my" underscores the Duke’s ownership and control.
• Name-dropping artists (Fra Pandolf, Claus of Innsbruck) shows the Duke’s vanity.
• Formal address (“sir”, “you”) shows the Duke’s social superiority and condescension.
• Repetition of "I" demonstrates self-obsession.

Structure & Form

• The poem is a dramatic monologue: one speaker (the Duke), silent listener (envoy).
• Written in iambic pentameter and rhyming couplets, symbolizing the Duke’s attempt at control.
• Enjambment (sentences run over lines) reflects the Duke’s lack of self-control.
• Single long stanza emphasizes the Duke’s overwhelming character.

Symbolism & Metaphors

• The portrait behind a curtain symbolizes the Duke’s desire to control his wife’s image and behavior.
• The Neptune taming a seahorse statue represents male dominance over women.

Ambiguity & Interpretation

• The line "I gave commands" is ambiguous but generally understood to mean the Duke ordered his wife's death.
• The Duke’s paranoia and insecurity are revealed through his storytelling.
• The poem can be read as both a display of male power and a critique of male insecurity.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Dramatic Monologue — a poem with a single speaker addressing a silent listener.
• Iambic Pentameter — a rhythmic pattern of five pairs of syllables per line.
• Enjambment — continuation of a sentence without pause beyond the line ending.
• Victorian Era — period of Queen Victoria's reign (1837–1901), marked by strict social codes.

Action Items / Next Steps

• Review the poem text and highlight examples of power and control.
• Practice analyzing language, structure, and form in other dramatic monologues.
• Prepare notes on how Victorian context influences themes in the poem.