My Last Duchess Essay

My Last Duchess

My Last Duchess, written by Robert Browning, follows the story of a deceased Duchess and her wealthy husband, the Duke, during Renaissance Italy. This dramatic monologue begins with the Duke having a conversation with a guest about his elegantly painted portrait of his wife. As the poem advances, it can be found that the guest is in fact the servant of a Count. To be more specific, the Duke’s soon to be father-in-law, as the Duke is going to wed his daughter. All throughout this dramatic monologue, the readers get a true visual of who the Duke truly is and what his attitudes are. Out of many observable characteristics, readers can acknowledge that the Duke is insecure, jealous, and possessive due to his deceased wife and her

It was “not her husband’s [the Duke] presence only, [that calls] that spot of joy [onto] the Duchess’ cheek” (Browning). The fact that the Duchess did not smile because of the Duke infuriates him. The Duke is afraid that his wife is in another relationship or will eventually leave him for someone else. This leads to him become extremely jealous of other male individuals in her life. The Duchess “thank[s] men, -- good; but thank[s] somehow -- I [do] know not how -- as if she rank[s] my gift of nine-hundred-year’s-old name with anybody’s gift” (Browning). The Duke believes that the Duchess is not thankful for the status that she received by marrying the Duke. He assumes that she considers his status and other mens’ gifts all the same. The Duke believes that the Duchess takes all this for granted. In the end however, it does not matter. She is murdered. By none other than her husband’s command. Then, the Duke moves on. He goes onto another marriage proposal. The Count’s “fair daughter’s self, as I avowed at starting, is my object” (Browning). The Duke is already possessive of his soon to be wife and they are not even married yet. This possessive trait can also be seen with his deceased