6.1.1
Summary
Summary of My Last Duchess
Summary of My Last Duchess
Robert Browning wrote My Last Duchess in 1845, but the poem was set in the 16th century. In the poem, the Duke of Ferrara speaks to a messenger sent by a ruler from a foreign land to secure marriage for his daughter.
Summary
Summary
- The Duke of Ferrara speaks to an emissary (messenger) sent by a ruler from a foreign land to secure marriage for his daughter.
- The Duke boasts about his art and a portrait of his former wife (covered up by a curtain).
- It becomes clear that the Duke was controlling and possessive.
- It is strongly hinted that he arranged for his ‘last Duchess’ to be killed.
Protagonist (main character)
Protagonist (main character)
- The poem is based on a real person – Alfonso II, Duke of Modena and Ferrara in Italy.
Main ideas
Main ideas
- The poem explores male power and dominance.
Key Ideas in My Last Duchess
Key Ideas in My Last Duchess
Although the subject of the poem is the “Last Duchess”, we actually learn a lot more about the Duke and his personality. The Duke is presented as arrogant and proud. His characterisation allows Browning to explore other themes, like the oppression of women and irony.
Arrogance, pride and power
Arrogance, pride and power
- The Duke is characterised as arrogant, entitled and obsessed with pursuing control.
- He wants to dominate all aspects of his wife’s life. This is the primary way we see his obsession with power in the poem.
- The way he speaks to the messenger, and the fact that his speech is written in controlled iambic pentameter, also points to this.
Irony
Irony
- There is some irony in the poem.
- Although the Duke is trying to impress the messenger and give the impression that he has ultimate power, the way he speaks about his wife shows him to be jealous and insecure.
- Reputation and honour were of huge importance to the Duke. This is very ironic, as the poem seems to mock him and his pompousness (too serious and full of importance).
- The poem points to the fact that wealth and status do not equate to good morals.
Oppression of women
Oppression of women
- The poem highlights the oppression and objectification of women in the 16th Century.
- Even in death, the Duke has authority over the Duchess as he decides who looks at her.
- The curtain becomes a powerful symbol of masculine dominance. It's also a reminder that the Duke was unable to control his wife fully when she was alive.
1Ozymandias - Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)
2London - William Blake (1757-1827)
3Storm on the Island - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)
3.1Storm on the Island Analysis
4Exposure - Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)
5War Photographer - Carol Ann Duffy (born 1955)
5.1War Photographer Analysis
6My Last Duchess - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
7The Prelude - William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
7.1Extract from The Prelude Analysis
8Charge of the Light Brigade - Alfred Tennyson
9Bayonet Charge - Ted Hughes (1930-1998)
10Poppies - Jane Weir (Born 1963)
11Tissue - Imtiaz Dharker (Born 1954)
12The Emigree - Carol Rumens (Born 1944)
13Kamikaze - Beatrice Garland (Born 1938)
14Checking Out Me History - John Agard (Born 1949)
14.1Checking Out Me History Analysis
15Remains - Simon Armitage (Born 1963)
16Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons
16.1Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons
Jump to other topics
1Ozymandias - Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)
2London - William Blake (1757-1827)
3Storm on the Island - Seamus Heaney (1939-2013)
3.1Storm on the Island Analysis
4Exposure - Wilfred Owen (1893-1918)
5War Photographer - Carol Ann Duffy (born 1955)
5.1War Photographer Analysis
6My Last Duchess - Robert Browning (1812-1889)
7The Prelude - William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
7.1Extract from The Prelude Analysis
8Charge of the Light Brigade - Alfred Tennyson
9Bayonet Charge - Ted Hughes (1930-1998)
10Poppies - Jane Weir (Born 1963)
11Tissue - Imtiaz Dharker (Born 1954)
12The Emigree - Carol Rumens (Born 1944)
13Kamikaze - Beatrice Garland (Born 1938)
14Checking Out Me History - John Agard (Born 1949)
14.1Checking Out Me History Analysis
15Remains - Simon Armitage (Born 1963)
16Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons
16.1Grade 9 - Themes & Comparisons
Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring
Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home
Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs
30+ school subjects covered