My Last Duchess: Robert Browning

Robert Browning's poem My Last Duchess: 
The poem is about an Itallian Duke, who has supposedly killed his first wife and is now planning another wedding to another woman. He displays a painting done of his dead wife in his house, and reveals it to a visitor, who is made to sit and admire it.
Synopsis
● Duke is showing a painting of his dead wife to a visitor
● Has it hidden behind a curtain – makes the visitor sit down to admire it
● Praises the artist who painted it
● Points out duchess’ blush – suggests she was flirting and being complimented
● Laments over wife being “too easily pleased” – criticises her for appearing to favour other men
● Claims he was not eloquent enough to tell her to stop
● So he had orders for her to be killed
● Then discusses with the visitor arrangements for his next marriage
● Points out statue upon leaving
Context
Robert Browning (1812 - 1889)
Browning was born in London, but spent most of life in Italy, and eventually died in Venice. He disliked school so was homeschooled, but was also fluent in many languages and started writing
poetry when he was a child. In 1845 he married Elizabeth Barret against her father’s permission, keeping the wedding secret from her domineering father. He had visited Italy shortly before writing
the poem “My Last Duchess”.
Italian Renaissance and the Duke of Ferrara
My Last Duchess was set in another era and country, but contains a political message and a criticism of society. Changing the setting of the poem helped to disguise the criticism and makes
the readers more open to accepting the message. This makes his subverted message more convincing and displays the cyclic way history finds itself repeating. This would have arguably
protected Browning from the repercussions of criticising contemporary society, and ensures he’ll still maintain a good readership upon publication.
Duke of Ferrara - was also known as Alfonzo II and served as the fifth duke of Ferraro. He is widely considered to be the inspiration for the poem as the poem set in Ferrara and Browning was fascinated and obsessed with the story of his life. Alfronzo II’s first wife died under suspicious circumstances, and the duke was believed to have been a murder. He went on to have other wives later.
Industrial Revolution and Victorian Britain
The poem was written during the Industrial Revolution, when society was starting to see social mobility in terms of class as well as gender, as women starting to demand equality and saw the beginning of the suffrage movement.
● Beforehand, views of women were very backwards and women would become property of their husbands upon marriage, losing right to all property and possessions.
● They also had no legal rights / no access to divorce, and would be married off by brothers and fathers as they were seen as financial burden and as incapable of ‘rational thought’.
● These patriarchal views are shown in the poem in the line “I choose never to stoop”, which suggests the speaker thinks there is no point arguing with a woman because they won’t ever come to understand. The woman’s role was firmly situated in the domestic sphere.
There was also a very high focus on morality, manners and modesty in the Victorian era, especially seeing as a large majority of society identified as Christians.
● Sex was taboo, especially female sexuality, and the only way for a woman to gain status/influence was through her husband.
● This is also shown in the poem through the line “my gift of a nine-hundred year old name”, which suggests the Duchess only attains status though his family name, and relates to the idea that marriage is a transition to ownership.
My Last Duchess
The poem is set in a time and a place (the Italian resistance) when art was heavily valued within society. Browning was interested in this time period and results in the focus of the poem being the Duke’s artwork; specifically the portrait he had made of his, now dead, first wife. The conflict within the poem is subtle but displays itself in the power the Duke has over the Duchess’ life. There is also a conflict between how the Duke presents himself to the outside world versus his Duke’s true character. Conflict arose when the Duke realised he couldn’t control his wife, and he retaliated by killing her, which is an abuse of his power and control.
Themes
The poem explores themes of jealousy, possessiveness, and the abuse of power. The Duke of Ferrara's character flaws, such as his ego, vanity, and need for control, are revealed through his speech. The Duke's possessive nature is evident in his desire to have complete control over the Duchess's behavior, even in death. 
Dramatic monologue
The poem is a dramatic monologue, which is a speech delivered by a character in a play. The Duke's character is shown through what he is saying, allowing the reader to build an opinion of him. 
Summary:-
The poem is set in Renaissance Italy and is narrated by the Duke of Ferrara, who is showing a painting of his late wife, the Duchess, to a visitor. Through the Duke's speech, the reader learns about the Duchess's personality and behaviour, as well as the Duke's own character flaws.
Analysis
The poem is an exploration of jealousy and possessiveness within a marriage, gendered expectations of women, and the treatment of women as chattel. The poem is a commentary on power, control, and gender roles.
Poetic devices
Browning uses various poetic devices, such as imagery, metaphor, and personification. For example, the Duke's reference to the portrait as a "thing" and his wife as "my last Duchess" are examples of metaphorical language. The portrait is also personified in the poem, as it is described as having a "nine-hundred-years-old smile". 
Societal norms
The poem also explores the societal norms of the time.
My Last Duchess’: at a glance
Published:1842
Author: Robert Browning
Form/ structure: Dramatic monologue in continuous form.
Meter: Iambic pentameter
Rhyme scheme: AABB (rhyming couplets)
Poetic Devices: Allusion, enjambment, rhyming couplets, and rhetorical questions
Frequently noted imagery: Smiles, blushing
Tone: Ominous, threatening, arrogant, jealous, and possessive
Themes: Relationships, gendered expectations, jealousy, and possessiveness
KeyTakeaways from "My Last Duchess"
💥"My Last Duchess" (1842) is a Dramatic monologue that uncovers the Duke's possessive and controlling nature.
💥The inspiration for the characters and events alluded to in the poem may have been based on the historical figures of Alfonso and Lucrezia of Ferrara.
💥Browning uses rhyming couplets to add a lyrical quality to the poem.
💥The imagery of blushing and smiling highlights the themes of societal expectations and power dynamics in gendered relationships.
💥The poem sheds light on the ways in which men sought to exert control over women's lives and desires during the Victorian era.