Critical appreciation of my last duchess by robert browning. Analysis of Robert Browning’s My Last Duchess 2022-10-24

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"My Last Duchess," written by Robert Browning in 1842, is a dramatic monologue that presents the twisted thoughts and views of the speaker, the Duke of Ferrara. The poem tells the story of the Duke's previous marriage and the events leading up to the death of his wife, the Duchess. Through the use of literary devices and language, Browning presents the Duke as a jealous and possessive individual who values his reputation and status above all else.

The poem begins with the Duke introducing the portrait of his last Duchess to the envoy of the Count of Tyrol. The Duke's pride and arrogance are immediately apparent as he brags about the skill of the painter and the beauty of the Duchess. However, as the conversation progresses, it becomes clear that the Duke was not satisfied with his wife's behavior. He accuses her of smiling too freely and giving her affection to everyone she met, implying that he believed she was unfaithful to him.

The Duke's possessive and controlling nature is further revealed through his use of the pronoun "my." Throughout the poem, he refers to the Duchess as "my last Duchess," emphasizing his ownership of her and his belief that she was his property. This belief is further reinforced by his use of the verb "gave," as he says "I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together." This suggests that the Duke believed that he had the power to control the Duchess's actions and emotions, and that he expected her to be obedient to his every command.

In addition to his possessiveness and control, the Duke is also shown to be a deeply jealous and suspicious man. He accuses the Duchess of flirting with other men and being too friendly with them, even though there is no concrete evidence to support these accusations. His jealousy is further highlighted through his use of the word "enjoy" when he says "I call / That piece a wonder, now: FrĂ  Pandolf's hands / Worked busily a day, and there she stands." This suggests that the Duke believed that the Duchess enjoyed the attention of other men and that this was a source of resentment for him.

Furthermore, the Duke's tendency to manipulate the truth is evident in the way he speaks about the Duchess. He presents her as a flirtatous and unfaithful woman, even though there is no evidence to support these accusations. This suggests that the Duke is willing to manipulate the truth in order to justify his own actions and preserve his reputation.

In conclusion, "My Last Duchess" is a powerful poem that presents the twisted thoughts and views of the speaker, the Duke of Ferrara. Through the use of literary devices and language, Browning presents the Duke as a jealous and possessive individual who values his reputation and status above all else. The poem serves as a commentary on the societal expectations and gender roles of the time, as well as the dangers of jealousy and possessiveness in relationships.

Browning: “Last Ride Together”

critical appreciation of my last duchess by robert browning

Now that she was put away somewhere, and her life-size painting was on the wall, he could be the only one to ever see that look of joy on her face, because he would allow no one else to look at the painting without his permission. He suggests that he suffered from Duchess' negligence to his social dignity. Then it changes into a tone of annoyance. . The lover thinks that it would be a heaven on earth for him if he continues to ride with his beloved forever. In adramatic monologue, the speaker is not thepoet; the character speaks to a silent listener.

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Critical Appreciation

critical appreciation of my last duchess by robert browning

This was the start of one of the world's most famous romances. Physical and Mental Landscapes in Childe Roland by Robert Browning Physical and Mental Landscapes in Childe Roland by Robert Browning On a doomed quest to conquer the evil of the Dark Tower, Childe Roland wanders through a wasteland filled with barren natural images and memories of once-heroic, now-fallen friends. In this section of My Last Duchess, the Duke seems to be remembering his former Duchess and all that bothered him about her. Like the Duke who coveted his precious artwork, Barrett's father wanted to keep hold of his children as if they were inanimate figures in a gallery. My favour at her breast, The dropping of the daylight in the West, The bough of cherries some officious fool Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule She rode with round the terrace—all and each Would draw from her alike the approving speech, Or blush, at least. In the manner of a connoisseur, he invites the envoy to contemplate the beauty of the painting, especially the 'earnest glance', and 'spot of joy'.

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My Last Duchess by Robert Browning

critical appreciation of my last duchess by robert browning

But the reward he gets in return is very little and he dies in poverty in the prime of his life. But the Duke demands that he and he only receives all of her attentions. His " My Last Duchess" has been considered as one of the finest dramatic monologue produced in the arena of English poetry. He reveals that this painting is behind a curtain and that no one but he is allowed to draw the curtain to view the painting or to show it to anyone. From the poem it becomes clear that the Duke is a widower and he is strict and severe.

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Analysis of the Robert Browning Poem 'My Last Duchess'

critical appreciation of my last duchess by robert browning

Browning also uses poetic license when describing his wife as looking like an angel because angels do not have human faces. The duke has invited his entire court to an evening performance of Dante's "Divine Comedy" before he does. She did not seem to be any more thankful for this than she was thankful to watch the sunset. The Duke was not happy with this. The Duchess's Character What the painting captures appears to be a watered-down version of the Duchess's joyfulness. The poem is written in heroic couplets.

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My Last Duchess: Themes, Analysis & Summary

critical appreciation of my last duchess by robert browning

She is now--in the present of the poem--the perfect trophy wife, just as he wants her to be. Then the Duke takes the Envoy to the otherpart of the palace. He always discusses how beautiful nature is or how distructive it can be. Browning's role is that of a duke who wishes to govern his lady with an iron grip. He says that it has been painted by Fra Pandolf, the imaginary name of the painter. He admitted that she smiled at him pleasantly when he passed by, but it bothered him that everyone received that same smile from her. The juxtapositions of city and ruins, hope for love and a last ride together, both illustrate this idea dramatically.

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Critical Appreciation of MY LAST DUCHESS by Robert Browning

critical appreciation of my last duchess by robert browning

The fact, that narcissism gives a person only negative credits, is supported by numerous great thinkers of all times, who claim that it goes hand in hand with haughtiness, egoism, presumptuousness, and leads its owner to a terrible end. Man is not able to make pace with his actions to match with his ambitions. Similarly a soldier dies fighting for his country and is buried in the Westminster Abbey, which is his only reward after death. The contrast between the whole narration of his, where he tries to speak about his wife in a positive and even pedestaling way, and these words, where he reveals his true inner thinking regarding his wife is remarkable. PROPAGANDA AND POLITICAL LEADERSHIP 92 WOMEN'S ACTIVITIES AND PROPAGANDA. In the end, it greatly epitomized his greediness over keeping Porphyria to himself, and his cruelty by taking away her life for his own benefit.

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My Last Duchess Critical Essays

critical appreciation of my last duchess by robert browning

One should breathe each moment as though there is no room for regret. But at the last line we are struck again by his malevolence masquerading as gentility. Thus, it is cast in a form of a speech addressed to a silent listener. The second is the date of publication online or last modification online. His Everlasting Moment of Intimacy.


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Critical Appreciation Of My Last Duchess

critical appreciation of my last duchess by robert browning

He has an innate talent for finding the perfect words to describe even the most complicated ideas. He follows the tradition of keeping secret in the beginning who the speaker is and whom he is speaking to. The encasing of the conversation in the showing off of the two works of art--his former wife's portrait and a sculpture of Neptune taming a sea horse--demonstrates the Duke's reason for being unhappy with his former wife. Its aim is character study or psychoanalysis. Browning, of the Victorian age, wrote real-life poetry that reflected upon some of the darkest aspects of Victorian life. The poem is alarming in the way the stark, barren terrain through which Roland travels offers no sensual or imaginative detail, but more so for its unflinching portrayal of a desperate and broken man. Perhaps he thought himself too high and mighty to stoop to talk to a woman, even if that woman was his wife.

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Interpretation Of Robert Brownings My Last Duchess, Sample of Essays

critical appreciation of my last duchess by robert browning

In short, she failed to behave like a work of art. It would seem that she was too easily pleased by everyone around her. In doing so, he reveals much about himself. Although the duke's monologue appears to be about his late wife, a close reading reveals that her mention is only a footnote in his self-important speech. There are a few others who have accompanied the emissary.

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