Critically appreciate the poem “My Last Duchess.”

Answer

Critically appreciate the poem “My Last Duchess.”

“My Last Duchess” is a famous dramatic monologue written by Robert Browning (1812-1899). It was published in 1842. The speaker of the poem is the Duke of Ferrara. He is speaking to a guest who has come to arrange his new marriage. While talking, he shows a painting of his dead wife, the “last Duchess,” and tells the story behind it. Slowly, the reader discovers the dark and proud nature of the Duke.  

Critical Summary: The Duke of Ferrara tells the story of his last Duchess while showing her portrait. His words reveal that he is a proud, arrogant, jealous, and controlling man. The Duke cannot accept that the Duchess was kind to everyone. She smiled at many people and enjoyed simple things. He wanted her to smile only for him. He saw her as an unfaithful wife. We realize that he actually gave commands to kill his last Duchess. As he says:

“I gave commands; 

Then all smiles stopped together.”

Now, he keeps her picture behind a curtain, and only he can show it to others. This reveals that the Duke sees women or anything around him as objects to own and control. To show his dominating nature, he tells the guest to notice the statue of Neptune, the sea god, taming a sea-horse. The Duke says this bronze statue was specially made for him by Claus of Innsbruck, a famous sculptor. He calls it a “rarity,” and it was made only “for me.” It is his way to show his pride, high status, and power.

Symbols: Robert Browning’s use of symbols in this poem is so fascinating. For example, the painting and the statue of Neptune are symbols. The painting of the Duke’s last Duchess is not just a piece of art. It shows how the Duke treats women like objects. He did not like the Duchess when she was alive because she smiled at