Browning's My Last Dutchess

A detailed Summary of Browning's My Last Dutchess

In his poem, "My Last Duchess," Robert Browning uses the description of a

painting as the premise through which he paints his own subtle portrait of the

speaker. Through his self-absorbed rambling monologue concerning his former

wife, the Duke inadvertently reveals much more about himself than he does (as the title would suggest) his "last Duchess." With his opening line, "That's my last Duchess painted on the wall,/ Looking as if she were alive," the Duke of Ferrara begins a long speech that ultimately exposes his true character as jealous, possessive,materialistic, arrogant, insecure, and, perhaps, even that of a remorseless murderer. However, one may need look no further than this first line to reach that sameconclusion.

The tone with which the Duke opens his narrative is frank, matter-of-fact,

of words when referring to his late wife. "That's my last duchess," he boasts with characteristic arrogance, always careful to include the possessive adjective "my," to emphasize his complete ownership of both the painting and the woman in it. Furthermore, he never once mentions her real name, always substituting the title of "Duchess," which was, notably, a title granted to her by her marriage to him. It is in this manner that the Duke is able to further dehumanize his wife, while, at the same time, asserting ownership and distancing himself from the reality of the Duchess as an individual and, also, from his role in her (presumed) murder.

supremacy over others and to dominate and control. He might be a tragic figure,

The Duke's possessive tyrannical nature is further revealed though his choice

but we can feel n

Some common words found in the essay are:
Fra Pandolf's, Duke Ferrara, Duchess Browning, Robert Browning, That's Duchess, that's duchess, ,

Approximate Word count = 557
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous

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