My Last Duchess by Robert Browning
About the Poet:
Robert Browning (1812-1889) was a prominent Victorian-era poet and playwright. Born in London, England, he was the son of a wealthy clerk in the Bank of England. Browning was a talented writer from a young age, and he published his first poem at 12.
The Romantic poets, particularly Percy Bysshe Shelley, heavily influenced Browning’s early poetry. However, he later developed his unique style, which was characterized by dramatic monologues and an interest in the psychological complexities of human nature.
Browning’s most famous works include “The Pied Piper of Hamelin,” “Porphyria’s Lover,” “My Last Duchess,” and “The Ring and the Book,” which is considered his masterpiece. He also wrote several plays, including “Strafford,” “A Blot in the ‘Scutcheon,” and “Pippa Passes.”
Browning married fellow poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and the two had a famously close relationship. They eloped to Italy in 1846, where they lived for the rest of their lives. Despite the success of his writing, Browning was relatively unknown during his lifetime and only achieved widespread recognition after his death.
Browning’s legacy as a poet has endured, and his works continue to be studied and admired for their psychological insight, complex characters, and innovative use of language.
Summary of the Poem:
Introduction:
“My Last Duchess” is a dramatic monologue poem written by Robert Browning and first published in 1842. The poem is narrated by a powerful Duke who is showing a portrait of his late wife, the Duchess, to a visitor. Through the Duke’s words, the reader learns about the Duchess’s supposed faults, which the Duke believes led to her untimely death.
Duke’s address to the Ambassador:
In the poem “My Last Duchess”, the Duke of Ferrara, addresses an emissary or a messenger who has come to negotiate his next marriage. The Duke takes the emissary or the ambassador into his private art gallery and shows him a portrait of his late wife, the Duchess. As the Duke talks about the picture of his last Duchess and reminisces about his late wife, the reader gains insight into his character and the circumstances surrounding the Duchess’s death.
Duke’s Character is shown:
The Duke’s narration is characterized by its controlled and calculated tone. He speaks with a sense of authority and self-importance, demonstrating his position of power as a nobleman. Throughout the poem, the Duke reveals his jealousy, possessiveness, and desire for control over his wife, suggesting that she was too easily pleased and showed affection to others indiscriminately.
A sense of manipulation and deception marks the Duke’s narration. He presents himself as a reasonable and gracious husband, but his words reveal a darker truth about his character and actions. He subtly hints at the Duchess’s fate, implying that he had her killed for not conforming to his expectations of behavior.
Conclusion:
Overall, the Duke’s narration in “My Last Duchess” is a chilling portrayal of a man consumed by his ego and desire for control. Browning creates a complex and morally ambiguous character through his words, inviting readers to question the Duke’s motives and morality.
The poem is a commentary on various themes such as power, control, jealousy, and misogyny. It is believed to be based on the life of Alfonso II, Duke of Ferrara, who was notorious for his treatment of his wives. Browning’s dramatic monologue form allows the reader to gain insight into the Duke’s character and mindset and question the morality of his actions.
The poem’s use of language and imagery is rich and complex, with the Duke’s words revealing a great deal about his personality and motivations. The poem is considered a masterpiece of Victorian literature and has been widely anthologized and analyzed by literary scholars.