Jeryl C.

Tumale TESL 604

February 4, 2012 Dr. Milagros Caares

TAKE HOME TEST: Analysis of Robert Brownings My Last Duchess 1. What is a dramatic monologue? 2. How will you describe the lone speaker in Robert Brownings My Last Duchess a. the speakers personality or traits b. the speakers psychological state c. the other partys reaction to the dukes monologue

ANSWERS: 1. Dramatic Monologue presents the speech of a single character who addresses one or more persons who are present and who are listening to the speaker, but remain silent. 2. How will you describe the lone speaker in Robert Brownings My Last Duchess The duke expresses how beautiful and life-like the last duchesss painting is by mentioning twice in his monologue that on the wall she stands as if alive. He has married her despite her seeming simplicity and uneducated nature because she was beautiful. However, the last duchesss characteristics later have enraged the duke. The duke has gotten so jealous because he cannot keep his wifes smiles, glance and love only for him that he orders her murder. a. the speakers personality or traits The lone speaker in Robert Brownings My Last Duchess who is the duke is arrogant, controlling, egotistic and jealous. His arrogance can be found in lines 9 and 10. The duke tells the emissary that he is the only one who has the control over the painting and that the emissary is fortunate to have the chance to see the painting of the last duchess. In lines 11-13, the duke also retorts that it was not only the emissary who dared to ask about the last duchesss earnest glance and smile captured in the painting. It shows how sensitive the duke when matters regarding his late wife is brought up.
9 But to myself they turned (since none puts by 10 the curtain I have drawn for you, but I) 11 And seemed they would ask me, if they durst, 12 How such a glance came there; so not the first 13 Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, 'twas not

Lines 9 and 10 also show the dukes craving for control. He arrogantly tells that he has the sole control over who sees the painting of his late wife. It is also evident in lines 5,47-48 and 53-54, how the duke likes making people around him under his command. In the last 2 lines of the poem the duke directs the attention of the emissary to a rare sculpture of Neptune which he

emphasizes to have been cast in bronze for him. This signifies the dukes power and influence that he values so much but the late duchess has taken for granted.
5 Will't please you sit and look at her? I said 47 As if alive. Will't please you rise? We'll meet 48 the company below, then. I repeat 53 At starting, is my object. Nay, we'll go 54 Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though, 55 Taming a sea horse, thought a rarity, 56 Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!

Jealousy also manifests in lines 13-15 and 23-34. In those lines, the duke tells how easily impressed the duchess and smiles at everyone. The duke also mentions that his late wife ranked his gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name with anybodys gift. This attitude of the late duchess has made the duke feel unappreciated. Lines 44 and 45, indicate that the late duchess smiles at everyone and the duke abhors the fact that she has never given him any special treatment.
13 Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, 'twas not 14 Her husband's presence only, called that spot 15 Of joy into the Duchess's cheek: perhaps 23 Too easily impressed; she liked whate'er 24 She looked on, and her looks went everywhere. 25 Sir, 'twas all one! My favor at her breast, 26 The dropping of the daylight in the West, 27 The bough of cherries some officious fool 28 Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule 29 She rode with round the terrace--all and each 30 Would draw from her alike the approving speech, 31 Or blush, at least. She thanked men--good! but thanked 32 Somehow--I know not how--as if she ranked 33 My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name 34 With anybody's gift. Who'd stoop to blame 44 Whene'er I passed her; but who passed without 45 Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands;

The duke however is too proud to admit what he feels even if the duchesss acts really disgust him. He even makes an excuse of not having a skill in speech to cover why he hadnt had a chance to make what he felt clear to his late wife, but then stresses to the emissary that despite it all he never stooped. The use of dashes in several lines of the poem also shows that the duke is guilty of the crime but tries to hide it by pausing to think of right word to say not to reveal his secret. He also rationalizes his actions by telling how badly his late wife had treated him.
34 With anybody's gift. Who'd stoop to blame 35 This sort of trifling? Even had you skill

36 In speech--(which I have not)--to make your will 37 Quite clear to such a one, and say, "Just this 38 Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss 39 Or there exceed the mark"--and if she let 40 Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set 41 her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse 42 --E'en then would be some stooping; and I choose 43 Never to stoop. Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt

b. the speakers psychological state The forty-fifth line shows how influential and powerful the duke that he can order even the death of his own wife but despite the power and influence his wife didnt treat him as someone special. The duke becomes so engrossed in feeding his pride. His jealousy has grown into an uncontrollable rage that forced him to order the death of his wife. With his wife dead, he can have a control over her. He has the painting of the late duchess on the wall all for him to see; her smile only for him.
44 Whene'er I passed her; but who passed without 45 Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; 46 Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands 47 As if alive. Will't please you rise? We'll meet

c. the other partys reaction to the dukes monologue The emissary though silent in the whole poem is shown to have not just listened to the dukes monologue but conversed, too. The dukes retorts in lines 12-15, 47-48 and 53-54 show that the emissary is not just a passive listener. Unfortunately, the dukes answers to the emissary show contempt. The emissary seems uncomfortable and wants to end his visit and leave but the duke insists of accompanying him. The emissary is made to feel intimidated by the duke over his power, influence and wealth.
12 How such a glance came there; so not the first 13 Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, 'twas not 14 Her husband's presence only, called that spot 15 Of joy into the Duchess's cheek: perhaps 47 As if alive. Will't please you rise? We'll meet 48 the company below, then. I repeat 53 At starting, is my object. Nay, we'll go 54 Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though,