Analysis of My Last Duchess by Robert Browning

p The Power of Tone in the Narration in Robert Browning 's My Last Dutchess

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Professor "My Last Dutchess " is a stellar piece of poetry by one of the world 's best known poet and author , Robert Browning , in 1842 . The poem is written as a confessional monologue which allows the audience to seep into the narrator 's , the Duke , mindset and character . Browning 's ability to fully flesh out the character of the Duke as well as revive his dead but not forgotten Last Duchess is

a testament to his skillful writing . Through the use of dramatic tone Browning breathes life into the sinister character of the Duke who reveals his inner thoughts malicious actions , and guilt , through a seemingly innocent and perhaps boring monologue

The character , the Duke , is loosely based on a real duke in the 1500s The Duke 's name was Alfonso II and he was the Duke of Ferrara , Italy He is speaking his mind out loud and his diatribe is quintessence of Shakespeare 's classic monologues in his famous plays . While the Duke is speaking he is over heard by the father of the woman who will become the Duke 's new wive , the next Dutchess . The conversation begins as the father asks about a painting of the Last Dutchess , and the Duke begins to speak his mind . He explains that the painting was created by the great artist Pandolf and the Duke comments that the picture looks as if the Last Dutchess is still living . It is because of the guilt that the Duke feels that he demands the painting be covered and forbids anyone from looking at it

The narration by the Duke continues as he many a long list of things that he felt were wrong with the Last Dutchess . He claims that she smiled too much and gave her smile to everyone , she was far too nice and polite , and she was simple minded and eager to . He also claims that she was innocent and even naive . She often complimented people when they made or brought her things including paintings flowers , and mules . The Duke continues that she finds pleasure in everything except himself . That she paid little to no attention to her husband . The Last Dutchess never offered him the respect , love , or submission that he expected , having been the Duke in a long family line of at least 900 years . He believed that her entire life should have been spent catering to his needs and wants . The question remains why is the Duke telling the father this . Many people believe that the Duke is offering a list of wifely duties , that the father can pass along to his daughter before the marriage . The Duke explains why he did not tell his Last Dutchess these things , and comments that it "would be some stooping and I choose /Never to stoop (42-43

The Duke continues to speak stating he did not feel bad about his wife 's...