my last duchess

Name

Instructor 's Name

Course

Date

My Last Duchess by Robert Browning

Robert Browning is the man behind the remarkable poem My Last Duchess It is a very remarkable piece the speaker of the poem talks about his last duchess , describing her in a way that demeans her character . In the end , however , it is the speaker 's character that is revealed

In My Last Duchess , the duke speaks of his former wife in a negative light . To begin with , he portrays her simply as his object , a wonderful

piece ' just like the painting . He then proceeds to describe her as that which derives happiness from every little thing . He also insinuated that the late duchess was a flirt she was described as that which gives a smile to every man , putting to shame the duke 's family name

However , despite such claims , it was the questionable character of the duke that is revealed . His capacity to objectify women comes to the surface through his of the painting . It seems as if he is easily annoyed , disturbed by the very fact that his wife was easily amused by everyday things . His jealousy and possessiveness comes to the fore as well , when the mere fact that she smiles at other men disturbs him greatly . In the poem , he speaks of commands that he had given her causing her to stop smiling altogether . This statement is rather vague considering that the commands in question was unidentified . However , it is this very statement that makes the reader consider the possibility that he was responsible for her demise . She would not be referred to as the last duchess ' if not for him

In Robert Browning 's My Last Duchess , the speaker depicts his late wife as a bad character . In the end , however , it is his grim character that is revealed . More importantly , the poem insinuates that he is responsible for his late wife 's death . Indeed , the duchess would still be alive if not for the duke 's actions . Author 's Surname PAGE 2...