Here’s a short essay on ‘My Last Duchess’ poem by Browning which explores why it is important that the only voice heard is of the Duke. Enjoy the read!
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The Duke in ‘My Last Duchess’ comes across as an arrogant, controlling and possessive man from the way he describes his past lover, of which he doesn’t give a name. This alone shows his arrogance and the way he objectifies his last Duchess. With the Duke as the only voice illustrates there is nobody to stop him when he become out of control. This makes him describe the Duchess in a very detailed manner. He repeats the use of ‘she’ and ‘my’ a lot giving him the trait of being controlling and self centred. He wanted her to mould around to his ideas which from her being dead, she didn’t do. His speech or dramatic monologue sounds natural from the way the rhythm is an iambic pentameter rhythm and the use of persiflage. This makes the poem itself sound more natural and casual. Browning also uses caesuras to emphasise the coldness and suddenness of his command and formality, ‘I gave comments, Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands…’ making the Duke sound even more arrogant.
