My Last Duchess by Robert Browning
Robert Browning was a great Victorian poet, well known for his robust(vigorous) optimism that is best expressed in his
famous lines in his poem ‘Pippa Passes’,
‘God is in His Heaven
And all’s well with the world.’
About the
Poem
‘My Last Duchess’ is Robert Browning’s one of the most
famous poems. It is a dramatic monologue.
A dramatic monologue is a poem in which the
speaker, who is like a protagonist as we have in dramas, is placed in a
critical situation. The poet remains aloof (separated) from him. The speaker
reacts to the difficult situation and thus lays bare his soul. He reveals his
character to the readers or the audience. The presence of a listener or the interlocutor
is also felt and it makes the situation dramatic.
In this poem, the Duke of Ferrara is the speaker,
whose wife is no more now. He is a widower and wants to marry the daughter of a
neighbouring Count, from whom he also expects to receive a rich dowry. The
Count has sent a messenger (an envoy) to negotiate with the Duke.
The Duke takes the messenger to have a glimpse of his
picture gallery. Actually, the Duke is the product of the Renaissance period
that originally began in Italy. He has immense love for art.
In the whole poem, the Duke keeps on speaking to the
listener, and in this way, he reveals his inner self. He is greedy, possessive,
jealous, cruel, despotic by nature, though he loves art and beauty also. His
speech also brings about the innocent and simple nature of his previous wife,
whom he killed by strangulating her just because she did not follow his strict
‘code’ of conduct while behaving with others.
Line-to-line Explanation:
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Lines 1 to 5 That's my last Duchess
painted on the wall,
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Important
Words and Expressions: 1. a wonder: The Duke calls the painted portrait of his previous wife a
wonderful piece of art. It shows his love for art and beauty. 2. Fra Pandolf: It is the name of a monk or a
Friar () , who painted the portrait of his wife. He hired him with a purpose
in his mind. 3. Now: The mention of the adverb ‘now’ here is also meaningful. It
shows the Duke’s preference for art over life. His dead wife’s portrait is
more beautiful and exquisite () for him now. 4. Will 't please you sit and look at her?: It is his invitation
to the messenger to sit on a seat and look at the portrait of his wife
feeling comfortable.
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Explanation: The Duke of Ferrara takes the messenger of the Count on a round to show him his picture gallery. While taking him up, he shows to him the portrait of his previous wife’s painted picture on the wall. He himself uncovered it by drawing the curtain aside. The painting is quite life-like and indeed a breathing reality. He also tells the messenger that he had engaged Fra Pandolf, a monk artist to make the portrait of his wife. He did not allow the Friar (a member of the religious group) to spend more than a day in the execution of the work of art. Then he tells the messenger to sit and see the painting comfortably so that he may view the portrait artistically.
Critical
Analysis: The poem opens in a
conversational tone ‘That's my last Duchess painted on the wall’. The use of the
possessive adjective ‘my’ in the line ‘‘That's my last Duchess;
shows the Duke’s possessive nature. He considers his wife as his personal
property. His admiration for the portrait shows the Duke’s love for art and it
reflects his Renaissance spirit. The Duke did not allow an ordinary artist to
execute the work of painting the portrait of his late wife. He willingly
engaged a monk, who is supposed to have won over his physical desires. Here
also, we may say that the Duke was a man of jealous nature. He did not like
other men to have a close look at his wife’s beautiful face. He appears to be a
tyrant, who did not allow his wife the very basic freedom of life.
Video Lecture 2
Lines 5 to
13
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I said
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Important
Words and Expressions: 1.by design: with purpose, intentionally 2. never read: never examined intimately 3. pictured countenance: The face on the painting 4. ‘The depth and passion of its earnest glance.: This line means that
the strong feelings that were visible in the Duchess’ eyes. 5. (Since none puts by/The curtain I have drawn for you, but
I):
The Duke wants to inform the messenger that it was he who always uncovered
the portrait to show it to the visitors. He never allowed anyone to draw the
curtain from the portrait. 6.’ if they durst’: It means if they showed
courage to ask that question. 8. ‘not the first
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Explanation:
The Duke says that he has mentioned
“Fra Pandolf’ intentionally. He also says that strangers like him could never
understand how such a deep passionate look had appeared in the eyes of his
wife. That was the reason why they turned to him for clarification. But it
seems that they did not have the courage to ask him directly about that. They
just wanted to know how that deep passionate emotion appeared in the Duchess’
eyes.
In a way, the Duke tells the messenger that he had engaged a monk, not an ordinary artist to execute the task of making a picture of his wife on the wall. He had done that intentionally. A monk is supposed to have won over physical desires as he lives a life of self-abnegation. Here we come to know the Duke’s jealousy. He does not allow his wife any type of freedom. Indirectly also, the Duke suggests to the Count’s messenger that he would like strict discipline from his would-be wife while behaving with ordinary people.
After that, the Duke proceeds to explain why that deep passionate glow had appeared in the eyes of his previous wife.
Lines 13 to 21
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Sir, 'twas not |
Important
Words and Expressions: 1. Spot of
joy: a faint blush caused by sudden
joy 2. mantle: a cloak, a loose-fitting garment up to the knees 3. laps: covers 4. the faint Half-flush: the reddish glow 5. and cause enough /For calling up that spot of joy. : The Duchess
was so much childish in nature that she would take such passing marks as
great compliments and would blush with joy. That was the cause of the blush
in the portrait. |
Explanation: in these lines, the Duke explains to the messenger
why a ‘faint blush’ had appeared on the cheeks of his wife. It did not appear
due to the joy that she derived from the presence of her husband in front of
her. Actually, she had a childish heart that could move even by the small acts
of courtesy done to her. She did not have a sense of grace and self-dignity for
being a Duke’s wife. She would react with much politeness at the remarks of
ordinary people and think their appreciation of her beauty.
The Duke quotes an example to make the Count’s messenger understand how she would violate the strict ‘code of conduct while dealing with ordinary people. For example, if the painter happened to mention that her cloak covered her wrists too much, making them look beautiful or if he remarked that he would never be able to capture the faint reddish glow caused by a light blush on her white neck and throat, she would take it as compliment and blush.
As a matter of fact, the Duchess had a simple, innocent nature and she was not at all a hypocrite type of person. She could not hide her feelings. So she would feel pleased at small courtesies done to her. But all such activities were childish for to the Duke. Indirectly, the Duke tries to indicate to the messenger that he would expect dignity in behavior from his second wife.
Thus, in the above lines, the Duke reveals his strict nature. He was class conscious. He did not want his wife to get mixed up with common men.
Video Lecture 3
Lines 21 to
31
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‘She had
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Important
words and expressions: 1. it was all one: The Duchess had no sense of
discrimination between high and low, right and wrong, worthwhile &
worthless, etc. 2. My favour
at her breast: It means the costly ornament presented to her by the Duke was
worn by her at her breast. She could not
even find the difference between the gifts presented to her by her husband and
the ones presented to her by some foolish admirer. 3. The dropping of the daylight: it means the sunset
4. “Some officious fool" means some irritating
(officious) fool 5. officious. The person who interferes in others’
affairs 6. Terrace: A raised area in a house for walking
etc. 7. The approving speech: words of thanks and
admiration
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Explanation:
The Duke tells the messenger that he finds it very difficult to explain the
type of childish heart his previous wife had. It was such a simple heart that
it could be influenced easily by one and all. She would feel glad at anything
she looked at. She could not apply to restrain at her eyes. She should have been selective in looking at things or
people. After this, the Duke quotes several examples to prove this point. He
says that she had no
sense
of discrimination. It was all the same all. If the duke presented her with some
jewellery to wear around her neck; if she watched at the sunset; if some irritating fool brought her the bough (branch)
of cherries; if she rode on a white mute round the terrace, all these activities will excite her alike.
She
should have felt more excited at the Duke’s presenting her the necklace and
showed less intensity of excitement on receiving the bough of cherries that an officious
fool brought to her.
After
all, she was the wife of a Duke, who had a nine hundred-year-old reputation to
the credit of his family. Critical
Analysis: The Duke was very class-conscious.
He
was not at all democratic in his ideas. He did not believe in the goodness of a
human heart. That is the saran why he could not appreciate the inner beauty of the
Duchess.
Lines
She
thanked men,—good! but thanked
Somehow—I know not how—as if she ranked
My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name
With anybody's gift.
Word meanings and Important Lines
1. Ranking: To rank means to give
importance or value to someone or something.
2. My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name: The Duke’s family
had a glorious history of nine hundred years and the gift he gave to her must
be taken in view of that importance.
Explanation: The Duke tells the messenger
that his wife did not have the sense of ranking things and behaviour. He did
not mind thanking people for the little courtesies shown to her. But the way in
which she thanked them was not tolerable to him. She thanked them with the same
degree of intense feelings as she did to her husband.
The Duke presented her with a
necklace that she wore on her breast. It was the gift that had the nine hundred-year-old dignity of family history attached to it. Even then, she ranked it
with the small gifts presented to her by anyone else. She should have shown a
sense of discrimination while receiving gifts from her husband and other
people.
Critical Analysis: In the above line, we come to
know how the Duke was class-conscious. He believed in social discrimination
while his wife was equal to all in her behaviour. She had a simple and innocent
heart.
Video 4
‘Who'd stoop to blame
This sort of trifling? Even had you skill
In speech—(which I have not)—to make your will
Quite clear to such an one, and say, 'Just this
Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss,
Or there exceed the mark'—and if she let
Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set
Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse,
—E'en then would be some stooping; and I choose
Never to stoop.’
3. Stoop to blame: The word ‘stoop’ means to bend one’s head and
shoulders forward and downward. It also means to feel small in front of others.
Here the Duke wants to say that he did not want to lower himself in dignity by
criticising his previous wife’s frivolous (/ˈfrɪv.əl.əs/ silly
behaviour) activities.
4. Trifles: small faults in behavior
5. You will: you desire
6. to such an : to such a childish person like his previous
Duchess
7. here you miss…..the mark: In some respects, she failed in
following the dignified manners and while in other respects, she totally
crossed all the limits of lowering her dignity in front of others by behaving
childishly
8.Set her wits to yours forsooth: Forsooth means at once. If
ever she tried to make her realise her faults, he feared she would start
justifying her behavior.
9. made excuses: tried to prove her behavior right
Explanation: in the previous lines, we came to know the Duke
believed that Duchess had a childish heart, which was unable to distinguish
between the valuable gifts given to her by the Duke and the ordinary courtesies
shown to her by the common people.
The Duke further clarifies that he thought it below his dignity
to advise the Duchess to make an amendment (correction) in her behavior. In the
next line, the Duke admits that he is not so effective in speaking skills.
Even if he had been so in making his will clear to her that certain points in
her personality had been disgusting to him and she lacked in some points here
and there and exceeded the limits there, he would have preferred not to do so.
In a way, it would again be stooping (bending to a point that is
below dignity) in front of her if she tried to defend herself and argue with
him. But the Duke says that he chose never to stoop.
Next lines:
‘Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt,
Whene'er I passed her; but who passed without
Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands;
Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands
As if alive. ‘
Important Words and Expressions:
1. I gave commands: The
Duke says that he gave orders. It shows his dictatorial /ˌdɪk.təˈtɔː.ri.əl/ nature.
2.
‘Then all smiles stopped together’: This single line of only ‘five words’
contains “the tragedy of a whole life” in a little space, says Robinson, a
famous critic. It means a lot. When the duke could not further tolerate the
duchess’ liberal behavior with others, it may be guessed clearly that he passed
orders to kill her. In this way, her smiles were stopped forever.
Explanation:
the Duke tells the messenger that his previous wife was very childish in her
behaviour. She did not have a sense of discrimination. So, she smiled at
every person. The Duke did not mind her smiling at him, but he did mind when
she smiled at other people with the same intense feeling as she put in the
smile at her husband. After all,, the Duke had the nine hundred years old names
and fame to the credit of his family. So her frivolous (amusing but silly)
habit irritated the Duke so much that he passed orders to kill her and with
that all smiles stopped together. Then he indicates towards his dead wife’s
portrait and says ‘There she stands/As if alive
Thus
we come to know how cruel the Duke was. An eminent critic, Robinson sums up
that there lies “a tragedy in five words”. i.e. ’Then all smiles stopped.”
Lines:
‘Will 't please you
rise? We'll meet
The company below then. I
repeat,
The Count your master's known munificence
Is ample warrant that
no just pretence
Of mine for dowry will be disallowed;
Though his fair daughter's self, as I avowed
At starting, is my object. Nay, we'll go
Together down, sir. Notice Neptune,
though,
Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity,
Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!’
Important Words and
Phrases:
munificence: generosity 2. Ample:
sufficient 3. Warrant: guarantee 4.
Just pretence: reasonable claim 5.
Avowed: declared/said 6. Neptune:
the sea god in classical mythology 7. A
rarity: that is not found everywhere 8.
Claus of Innsbruck: an imaginary sculptor 9. Bronze: a metal made up with a mixture of copper and brass 10. Below: downstairs
Explanation: In the above lines, first of
all, the Duke asks the messenger very politely if he could rise because they
will be meeting the company downstairs.
Then he shifts the
subject of criticising his previous wife to that of dowry that he expects from
the Count in the marriage with his daughter. First, he indirectly hints at a
rich dowry he wants to get in his second marriage. He starts telling the
messenger that he knows that his master (the Count) is very liberal
and generous and that
guarantees sufficient dowry to his daughter. He further tells the messenger
that he had mentioned it in the beginning also and now, again he is
mentioning the same so that no doubts about dowry are left in his mind.
After
that, the Duke starts moving to go downstairs, where the company is waiting for
him. The messenger gives the Duke way, but he tells him politely that both of
them would go together downstairs. As the Duke starts to step down, he indicates
the messenger’s to see a bronze statue of Neptune. He tells the messenger that
it was a rare piece of art carved by a famous sculptor Claus of Innsbruck.
Thus, it shows that the Duke has a great love for art.
Here
this great poem ends up.
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