Robert Browning’s poem “My Last Duchess” is a dramatic monologue that was first published in 1842 as part of his collection “Dramatic Lyrics.” The poem is set in the Italian Renaissance and is loosely based on historical events and figures. It explores themes of power, control, jealousy, and art.
Analysis:
In 1 – 9 lines, The Duke begins by describing the painting of his late wife, the Duchess, which is hanging on the wall. He mentions how the painting looks so lifelike that it appears as if she were still alive. He praises the skill of the artist, Fra Pandolf, who spent a day capturing her image in the painting. Then the Duke invites the visitor to sit and look at the painting. He specifically mentions, “I said ‘Fra Pandolf’ by design,” which means that he deliberately mentioned the name of the artist, Fra Pandolf, on purpose to highlight the fact that the visitor understands who painted the portrait and who has the ability to provide valuable insights into its details and significance.
The phrase “never read” here means that the Duke has never encountered or met strangers like the visitor who could read or understand the pictured countenance (painted face/the expression) on the Duchess’s face in the painting. In other words, the Duke is suggesting that he has chosen to share the artist’s name to set the visitor apart as someone who might appreciate the artistry and emotional depth in the portrait.
In 9 – 13 lines, The Duke is telling the visitor that you are not the first person to be curious about the Duchess’s expression in the painting. Others who have seen it have also been intrigued by it and wanted to ask questions. By sharing this information, the Duke is subtly reinforcing his control over the portrait and the narrative surrounding it. He is the one who decides when and how to reveal the story behind the Duchess’s expression, and he implies that the visitor should consider himself fortunate to be given this opportunity to learn more about it.
In 13 – 21 lines from “My Last Duchess,” the Duke is suggesting that it wasn’t just his presence that brought a joyful blush to the Duchess’s cheek in the portrait. Instead, he implies that the painter, Fra Pandolf may have contributed to her blushing.
The Duke gives a hypothetical situation where Fra Pandolf, the artist, might have made a comment about the Duchess’s attire or her appearance. For example, he suggests that Fra Pandolf might have said, “Her mantle laps over my lady’s wrist too much,” indicating that her clothing was slightly too long, or “Paint must never hope to reproduce the faint half-flush that dies along her throat,” suggesting that the painter couldn’t capture the subtle flush on her neck.
These comments, these mediocre comments (such Stuff) according to the Duke, were made out of courtesy and admiration for the Duchess’s beauty. She would blush with joy or satisfaction when others praised her, even if it was about seemingly insignificant things like the way her clothing was draped or her skin’s delicate flush. The Duke, however, seems to view this trait of the Duchess as a flaw, suggesting that she was too easily pleased and lacked the level of discretion and restraint he desired in a wife.
In this part (21 – 31) the Duke continues to describe the Duchess’s character, particularly her disposition and behavior. He suggests that the Duchess had a heart that was too easily delighted and impressed by the world around her. Her attention was always drawn to her surroundings, and she found something to appreciate or admire in everything she saw. The Duke’s tone here is critical, as he views this quality in the Duchess as a weakness or flaw.
The Duke then provides examples of what would make the Duchess happy or evoke her approval.
“My favour at her breast”: The Duchess would be pleased by the Duke’s affection and attention, which he refers to as “my favour.”
“The dropping of the daylight in the West”: Even the natural beauty of a sunset in the west would delight her.
“The bough of cherries some officious fool / Broke in the orchard for her”: Even a simple gesture, like someone picking cherries for her, would make her happy.
“The white mule / She rode with round the terrace”: Riding a white mule around the terrace of their residence was another source of joy for her.
In 31 – 34 lines, The Duke begins by saying, “She thanked men—good!”
This means that the Duchess was polite and courteous in thanking people, which the Duke acknowledges as a positive quality. However, The Duke feels that when the Duchess expressed gratitude, she did so in a way that seemed as if she considered his gift of a “nine-hundred-years-old name” to be on the same level as anyone else’s gift. Here, the Duke is referring to the prestigious lineage of his family, from nine centuries. He views this heritage as a valuable and unique gift, and he expects the Duchess to recognize its significance. Instead, he felt that she treated his gift of his noble lineage as if it were no different from any other gift she received.
This perception on the part of the Duke reflects his desire for the Duchess to prioritize and emphasize his status and position, and his frustration with her behavior contributes to his controlling and possessive attitude throughout the poem.
In 34 – 43 lines, the Duke is essentially saying that he would never bother to express his disapproval or criticism directly on such trivial matters as the Duchess’s behavior and disposition to his late wife even if he had the eloquence and skill to do so.
He then goes on to acknowledge that even if he possessed the ability to communicate effectively and clearly, he wouldn’t engage in the effort of trying to make the Duchess understand or change her behavior. He describes the hypothetical scenario where he might say, “Just this / Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss, / Or there exceed the mark.”
The Duke believes that if he were to criticize the Duchess and if she were to listen and make an effort to change, it would be a form of “stooping,” or lowering himself to her level. He sees himself as superior and does not want to engage in any kind of discussion or negotiation with her. Instead, he prefers to maintain his position of power and control, deciding her fate without her input.
In 43 – 47 lines, the Duke is continuing to describe the behavior of his late wife, the Duchess. He recounts how she used to smile at him whenever he passed by her, but he suggests that her smile was not unique or exclusive to him. He goes on to say that many others who passed by her received a similar smile. This suggests that the Duchess was generally warm and friendly to people in her surroundings.
As the Duke’s jealousy and possessiveness grow, he takes action. He says, “This grew; I gave commands.” It implied that he was not comfortable with the Duchess’s friendly demeanor towards everyone. In response to his discomfort, he issued commands or instructions to put an end to her smiles.
The chilling conclusion of this passage is when the Duke mentions that “all smiles stopped together.” This implies that he had a hand in silencing the Duchess’s smiles permanently, most likely through her untimely demise. The Duke then remarks that the portrait of the Duchess now stands on the wall “as if alive,” frozen in time, while she herself no longer lives. This passage further illustrates the Duke’s controlling and possessive nature, as well as his willingness to resort to extreme measures to maintain his sense of power and dominance.
In 47 – 53 lines, the Duke is addressing the visitor who has come to discuss a potential marriage arrangement between the Duke and the Count’s daughter.
The Duke suggests that they should leave the portrait room and join the company downstairs. He expresses his willingness to meet with the Count’s daughter and the others. However, he reiterates his expectation that the Count’s generosity and wealth will ensure that any reasonable request for a dowry (a financial gift or inheritance typically given by the bride’s family to the groom) will be granted.
The Duke emphasizes that his primary interest is not the financial aspect of the marriage but rather the Count’s daughter herself. He had previously stated that she is his “object,” meaning she is the person he intends to marry and make his wife. He wants to make it clear that his intention is to marry the Count’s daughter for her own sake, rather than solely for her potential dowry.
However, the Duke’s tone and attitude throughout the poem suggest that he sees marriage as another form of possession and control. His desire for dominance and his obsession with his late wife’s behavior continue to color his interactions and motivations, giving the poem a darker and more complex tone.
In 53 – 56 lines, the concluding part of “My Last Duchess,” the Duke invites the visitor to accompany him downstairs, but before they leave the room with the portrait of his late wife, he draws the visitor’s attention to another piece of art in the room.
The Duke directs the visitor’s gaze toward a statue or sculpture of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, who is depicted taming a sea-horse. The Duke mentions that this artwork, depicting Neptune taming a sea horse, is considered a rarity. And the sculpture was created by an artist named Claus of Innsbruck and is made of bronze.
By drawing the visitor’s attention to this sculpture, the Duke is once again emphasizing his wealth and appreciation for art. The fact that he mentions that the sculpture was made “for me” implies that it was created as a special commission for the Duke himself. This highlights his status and his ability to acquire unique and valuable works of art.
In conclusion, the poem portrays the Duke’s immense power, status, and dominance. He uses art, such as paintings and sculptures, to project an image of himself as a commanding figure who can control everything and everyone around him. For instance, he demonstrates his control over his late wife through the painting by mentioning, “since none puts by The curtain I have drawn for you, but I.” This statement suggests that he has taken the authority to conceal the portrait from view with a curtain, and only he can choose to reveal it to others.
The Duchess, on the other hand, is depicted as a gentle, vulnerable, and kind-hearted woman who appreciates simple pleasures, as evidenced by her enjoyment of riding the “white mule.”
Additionally, his placement of a chair in front of the painting symbolizes his desire to exercise control over how others perceive his late wife, highlighting his complex and possessive nature. The poem reveals the Duke’s possessiveness over the Duchess and his belief in his own superiority, even to the extent of comparing himself to a god. Duke represents the prevailing attitudes of his time when society often considered women as possessions owned by their husbands.
“My Last Duchess” is considered one of Browning’s most famous and anthologized poems. It is admired for its exploration of character and psychology through the dramatic monologue form and its commentary on the social norms and gender roles of the time.