My Last Duchess1

A detailed Summary of My Last Duchess1

The Haunting Aristocrat

In his dramatic monologue, Robert Browning uses irony, diction, and

imagery to achieve a haunting effect.

Robert Browning frequently wrote dramatic monologues to enhance the

dark and avaricious qualities in his works. Browning's use of this particular

style is to "evoke the unconstrained reaction of a person in a particular

situation or crisis" (Napierkowski 170). A poem may say one thing, but when

mixed with dramatic monologue, it may "present a meaning at odds with the

speaker's intention"(Napierkowski 170). This change may show the reader

more insight into the poem without directly stating the underlying facts. The

reader is allowed to "isolate a single moment in which the character reveals

himself more starkly" (Napierkowski 171). Browning's use of dramatic

monologue "disposes the reader to suspend moral judgement" (Napierkowski

171) causing a haughtiness to hover over many of his works.

Browning uses irony in conjunction with dramatic monologue to produce

a sinister and domineering effect. Irony, much like dramatic monologue, can

mind and voice of the Duke"(Charles 278). He is obsessed with being in

causes him to "stoop" down to spouting off "commands" in her direction. The

painting. This, along with the "faint" and "half-flush" appearance that "dies

to a subordinate for any reason. The image of the powerful god, taking control

Dramatic monologue can make an unforseen ironic statement have an

seahorse in order to show that he will demand complete obedience from his

"depth" and "passion" in order to place a cloudiness over the realism of the

Approximate Word count = 771
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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