Robert Browning (1812-1889) was an English poet and playwright whose proficiency in dramatic verse, particularly dramatic monologues and monologues, made him one of the greatest Victorian poets. Robert Browning has presented a new type of poetry in “My Last Duchess.” The poet’s novel technique of poetry referred to as the “dramatic monologue,” was extremely popular in the Victorian Era. Poetry writers such as Lord Tennyson, Matthew Arnold, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti wrote a number of poems that completely or in part reflected the qualities that a dramatic monologue possesses. The poem is based on a historical connection to the story of Alfonso II of Ferrara and his wife, Lucrezia, Robert Browning has produced a masterpiece of poetry in his poem “My Last Duchess.”
Summary of My Last Duchess
The poem’s opening scene is that the poet (Duke of Ferrara) is pulling back a curtain, directing the representative’s attention towards the image of his ex-wife. The representative (representative) is a nobleman, and his daughter is about to be married to Duke. The speaker lauds his wife’s work and comments about the artist’s talent (Fra Pandolf). The speaker claims that the artist (Fra Pandolf) has captured the uniqueness of his wife’s gaze. However, the person speaking (Duke of Ferrara) insists to the official that the duchess’s intense eye was not just only for husbands.
The speaker also stated that the duchess was “too easily enticed” to share her friendliness. While commenting on his ex-wife and her husband (the speaker) argues that everything his wife received was the same and made her happy no matter what it was, be it an ornament or gift from him she wore around her chest. However, the natural like the setting sun in the West or the branch of cherries that an intervening person cut off from an orchard tree for her, or even the white mule she rode through the terrace.
In a subsequent discussion with the envoy on his ex-wife, he condemns the actions of his duchess. Moreover, his tone grows harsh as he recollects how easily she could get impressed by both human and nature, which insulted him as he explained that she did not give special favor to the “gift” of his “nine-hundred-years-old” family name and lineage. The speaker says that she also smiles more significantly at people, which is why he issued commands, and she stopped smiling indefinitely, probably because he killed her. She is now only in the work of the artist (Fra Pandolf).
He (Duke from Ferrara) closes his tale and then requests the representative to get up and accompany him to join the other guests downstairs. He also asks for them back with the Count, who is the dad of his bride-to-be. The duke adds that he hopes for a large amount of dowry, but he is satisfied with the gorgeous daughter of the Count. The duke concludes his speech by insisting on the Count’s envoy, and he takes a walk down the stairs together. While they are on their way, he draws the envoy’s attention towards a statue of God Neptune, who is taming the seahorse that he has in his collection. It is a unique artwork created by Claus of Innsbruck, created in bronze exclusively for his use.