My Last Duchess Quiz : My Last Duchess is a dramatic monologue where the Duke of Ferrara reveals his controlling and jealous nature while speaking about his late wife’s portrait. He implies that he ordered her death because she was too kind and did not reserve her smiles only for him. In the end, he moves on to discuss his next marriage, showing his cold and possessive attitude.
Life and Writings of Robert Browning
Robert Browning (1812–1889) was a famous English poet and playwright of the Victorian era. He was born in London and developed a love for literature from an early age. Browning is best known for his mastery of dramatic monologues, in which a single speaker reveals deep thoughts and emotions. His poetry is often complex, filled with historical and philosophical themes.
His major works include Dramatic Lyrics (1842), Men and Women (1855), and The Ring and the Book (1868–1869). His poem My Last Duchess is one of the most famous dramatic monologues in English literature. He was married to the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and their love story is well known in literary history.
Summary of My Last Duchess
Brief Summary:
My Last Duchess is a dramatic monologue where the Duke of Ferrara speaks about his late wife to a visitor. He shows a portrait of the Duchess and reveals that he was unhappy with her behavior. He felt she was too kind and friendly with others. The Duke hints that he ordered her death because she did not respect his pride. In the end, he moves on to discuss his next marriage, showing his cold and controlling nature.
Themes:
- Power and Control: The Duke wants complete control over his wife.
- Jealousy and Pride: He cannot tolerate that his wife was kind to others.
- Art vs. Reality: The portrait represents how the Duke prefers a silent, controlled version of his wife.
- Gender and Patriarchy: The poem shows the power men had over women in the past.
Symbols:
- The Portrait: Symbolizes the Duke’s control over the Duchess even after her death.
- The Curtain: Shows how the Duke decides who can see his wife’s image, representing his possessiveness.
- Neptune Taming a Seahorse: This statue at the end symbolizes the Duke’s belief in dominating others.
Form, Meter & Rhyme Scheme:
- The poem is a dramatic monologue, where only the Duke speaks.
- It is written in iambic pentameter, giving it a natural, conversational rhythm.
- The rhyme scheme is AABBCCDD, creating a flowing but controlled tone, like the Duke himself.
Source : Litcharts
My Last Duchess Quiz
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