'My Last Duchess Ferrara (Edexcel IGCSE English Literature)
Revision Note
Author
Deb OrrockExpertise
English
'My Last Duchess Ferrara'
Below you will find a guide to Robert Browning’s poem titled 'My Last Duchess Ferrara' from the Edexcel International GCSE English Anthology (part 3: unit 1, section B). This guide includes:
Overview: a line-by-line breakdown of the poem, including its possible meanings and interpretations
Form, structure and language: an exploration of the techniques and poetic choices that Robert Browning has used
Themes: an exploration of the themes and ideas in the poem
Comparing poems: suggestions on which poems to compare it to
Overview
Find out more about the poem to confidently answer an essay question in your exam by reading:
A summary of the poem
A “translation” of the poem, section-by-section
A commentary of each of these sections, outlining Browning’s intention and message
A summary of the poem 'My Last Duchess Ferrara'
'My Last Duchess Ferrara' is a dramatic monologue written by Victorian poet Robert Browning in 1842. The Duke of Ferrara is the speaker of the poem, who tells us that he is entertaining an emissary who has come to negotiate the Duke’s marriage to the daughter of another powerful family. The Duke uses a painting of his former wife as a conversation piece, and suggests that she did something that he didn’t approve of. The rest of the poem is a subtle warning about what happens to those women who disappoint him, as his last wife (his last duchess) is now deceased.
The poem deals mainly with themes of power (and its abuse), ownership and male attitudes towards women. Conflict is also represented in terms of how the Duke presents himself to the outside world versus his true nature.
'My Last Duchess Ferrara' analysis
Lines 1-4
“That’s My Last Duchess painted on the wall,
Looking as if she were alive. I call
That a piece of wonder, now; Fra Pandolf’s hands
Worked busily a day, and there she stands.”
Translation
The poem opens with the first person narrator, the Duke, showing the emissary painting of his former wife on the wall
“Looking as if she were alive” implies that she is no longer alive
The Duke is proud of the painting, and name-drops the artist, “Fra Pandolf”, who “worked busily” on it, implying the painting is of value
Browning’s intention
The speaker takes on the persona of the Duke of Ferrara
This means that Browning can use the character to convey his message about the abuse of power and control
The speaker establishes control from the start by using the possessive pronoun “my”
The reader’s interest is engaged by wondering why this is his “last” Duchess. What happened to her?
“I call that a piece of wonder” is ominous as it suggests that the Duke is viewing his dead wife as a piece of art and a possession to be owned
Lines 5-8
“Will’t please you sit and look at her? I said
“Fra Pandolf” by design, for never read
Strangers like you that pictured countenance,
The depth and passion of its earnest glance,”
Translation
The Duke invites his visitor to sit down and look at the painting
He repeats, in case there is any doubt, that the painter was “Fra Pandolf” - a painter and a monk
He says this because people have commented on the passion and depiction of her facial expression (her “countenance”), and wonder which artist could capture it in such a fine way
The Duke is boasting about how famous the artist is, demonstrating his influence and wealth
Browning’s intention
The rhetorical question inviting the guest to sit and look does not require a reply, implying it is more of a command than an optional invitation
This adds to the sense of the Duke’s controlling nature
The fact that “Fra” stands for “Brother”, meaning the artist is a monk, is suggesting that there was no impropriety in the process of completing the painting itself
Lines 9-13
“But to myself they turned (since none puts by
The curtain I have drawn for you, but I)
And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst,
How such a glance came there; so, not the first
Are you to turn and ask thus. -”
Translation
The reader learns that the Duke is the only person allowed to pull back the curtain to reveal the painting
Others have asked, if they dared (“if they durst”), about how the expression on the Duchess’s face came to be
The Duke appears to be frustrated at all the attention his former wife is receiving
The curtain is designed to hide her and the Duke controls who can see her
Browning’s intention
This section of the poem reveals more about the Duke’s controlling nature
By covering the painting with the curtain, the Duke is able to control who sees her in death in a way he could not in life (more about this is revealed later)
This behaviour is sinister and the reader begins to wonder if he was involved in her death, perhaps covering the painting as a symptom of his guilt
His comment “if they durst” shows he has power over others and people are scared of him, as they wouldn’t dare ask him about the painting
Lines 13-15
“-Sir, ‘twas not”
Her husband’s presence only, called that spot
Of joy into the Duchess’ cheek; -
Translation
The Duke describes that he was not the only man who could lead the Duchess to have a “spot of joy”, meaning a blush, on her cheek
Browning’s intention
Blushing is associated with flirtation, and so the Duke is suggesting that many men may have flirted with the Duchess
This was unacceptable to the Duke at a time when, upon marriage, a woman lost many of her rights and essentially became the property of her husband
The Duke is suggesting that it should only be him that causes such a flush on her face
There is also the implication here that the Duke is a bit paranoid and overly possessive of his wife
Now she is his possession, a physical painting on a wall, he could be the only one to see that look of joy on her face - he would not allow anyone else to see it without his permission
Lines 15-21
“-perhaps
Fra Pandolf chanced to say, “Her mantle laps
Over my lady’s wrist too much,” or “Paint
Must never hope to reproduce the faint
Half-flush that dies along her throat.” Such stuff
Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough
For calling up that spot of joy. She had”
Translation
The Duke saw Fra Pandolf asking the Duchess to move her shawl (her “mantle”) so that it would uncover more of her wrist
At this moment, the Duchess was blushing at Fra Pandolf’s suggestion
She thought Fra Pandolf was complimenting her
The Duke believes that she is too easily impressed or aroused
Browning’s intention
The Duke is criticising the Duchess as someone who was too easy to flirt with and too friendly with other men
The reader cannot be sure if this is true, as pride and jealousy may have caused the Duke to believe his wife would flirt with a monk
The reference to the “half-flush that dies along her throat” foreshadows her eventual fate
Lines 22-31
“A heart - how shall I say? - too soon made glad,
Too easily impressed; she liked whate’er
She looked on, and her looks went everywhere.
Sir, ‘twas all one! My favour at her breast,
The dropping of the daylight in the West,
The bough of cherries some officious fool
Broke in the orchard for her, the while mule
She rode with round the terrace - all and each
Would draw from her alike the approving speech,
Or blush, at least. -”
Translation
The Duke is again implying that the Duchess was too friendly with men
He describes the Duchess as liking whomever she saw
The fact that “her looks went everywhere” is the Duke attempting to convey that she was unfaithful
He also suggests that the Duchess was not fussy, and saw all affection as equal
The “favour at her breast” is a piece of jewellery given to her by the Duke
The fact that it is worn at her breast adds a sexual undertone
The Duke then lists the sunset, as well as the “bough of cherries”
This is a gift she received from “some officious fool” whom the Duke believed to be of lower status
The white mule is the offspring of a donkey and a horse. A mule is typically sterile
All of these things would give the Duchess equal pleasure
This angers the Duke, as he feels outraged that she should get the same pleasure from a bunch of cherries given to her by someone of lower rank, as from a gift of jewellery from her husband, the Duke
Browning’s intention
The fact that the Duchess seemed to have a mind of her own conflicts with the Duke’s perception of how she should act as a wife
His attempts to convey her unfaithfulness and her flaws may act as the justification for what happened to her
The imagery of the sunset can be seen as pathetic fallacy and foreshadowing her life coming to an end, like the end of the day
The connotation of infertility with the mule may imply that the marriage was childless - another justification for the Duke’s actions
The Duke believes that his wealth and status should be more important even than beauty and nature
The fact that the Duchess also likes other things is viewed as a criticism of himself, presenting him as insecure and jealous
His pride is hurt as all of her affections are not reserved just for him
He is reliant on the complete control and dominance of women to make himself feel powerful and desirable
Lines 31-43
“- 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. 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. -”
Translation
The Duke implies that the Duchess “thanked” men. The use of “good!” is ironic, as he doesn’t think her behaviour is “good” at all
The Duke believes he paid for the Duchess with the gift of his “nine-hundred-year-old name” and that she should be grateful
This implies she was of a lower social status than him
He then imagines a hypothetical situation in which he would confront his former Duchess, if he was better with words, in which he was able to clearly tell her that her behaviour disgusted him or is not what is expected of her (she is “missing the mark”)
He says he could lower himself to teach her how to behave, but then he would be “stooping” and he chooses “never to stoop”
Browning’s intention
Repetition of “stoop” implies the Duchess’ lower status and the Duke’s unwillingness to go down to her level. It is beneath him to teach her how to behave
She was not sophisticated enough to see the greater worth of the Duke’s ancient name - she liked everything the same
He is irritated that she does not seem to appreciate his importance and status
By marrying her, he had given her his “nine-hundred-years-old name”, revealing his family had been around for a long time
However, he seems comfortable enough discussing what he disliked about the Duchess with a stranger
Perhaps he thought he shouldn’t have to stoop to talk to a woman, even if she was his wife
Lines 43-47
“- Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt,
When’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. -”
Translation
The Duke complains that, while she did smile at him whenever he passed, she gave him the same smile as everyone else
His frustration grew as her continued to break the “rules” of marriage
He therefore “gave commands”, which implies that he instructed someone else to murder her
The Duke points out that she looks “as if alive” in the painting, juxtaposing with the revelation of her death
Browning’s intention
Browning describes her death as her “smiles stopping” signifying not only the end of her happiness, but also the end of her life
This conveys the Duke’s absolute power over his wife and the overall power that he has - that he can just kill someone without consequence
It also demonstrates a loss of control (he “snapped”)
Lines 47-56
“- 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 pretense
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!”
Translation
Here it is revealed that the Duke is discussing his last Duchess with an emissary for a Count who is looking to marry his daughter to the Duke
“The company below” are further guests of the Duke downstairs
The Duke knows of the Count’s “munificence”, meaning his generosity
Because of this, the Duke believes he can demand any dowry
But he insists that his “fair daughter’s self” is his primary focus, meaning the Count’s beautiful daughter
He states that, when married, his wife will become “my object”
The final two images of Neptune “taming a sea-horse” suggests the powerful ruler of the seas controlling a delicate, innocent creature like a sea-horse
The metaphor of Neptune implies the Duke sees himself as god-like
The Duke again boasts of a piece of art he has had created by a famous artist
By ending the poem with “for me”, the Duke leaves the impression that everything must be done only for him and he desires exclusive ownership
Browning’s intention
It is possible that the Duke is explaining, in a menacing tone, the actions he would take if his next wife does not live up to his expectations
By suggesting that the Count will give him a substantial amount of money for his daughter’s dowry, he is possibly giving a veiled threat about what may happen to the Count’s daughter if he is not paid what he believes his power and status are worth
Ultimately, the Duke objectifies women, and as the only voice in the poem is the Duke’s, he has robbed his Duchess of her voice and her power
Form, language and structure
When you consider how William Blake uses form, structure and language, try to link your analysis of these elements to focus on how he presents his ideas and why he has made these choices in ‘The Tyger’. You will gain more marks if you focus on Blake’s themes rather than on individual poetic techniques.
Here are some suggestions for key aspects of the poem you might want to consider:
Form
The poem is written in the form of a dramatic monologue, not from Browning’s point of view, but from a fictional character’s (the Duke’s). This demonstrates the character’s dominance and control in the poem
Theme | Evidence | Poet’s intention |
Power and Control | The poem is written in the first person and in the present tense | This enables the speaker to control what he tells the reader, including whether what he is saying is true, biased or exaggerated |
This could reflect the power the Duke holds, both politically and over his wives | ||
The perspective in the poem is entirely the Duke’s | Shows the controlling presence of the Duke. He doesn’t let anyone else speak | |
We are given a one-sided account, and it is up to the reader to read between the lines to find the truth | ||
The Duchess’s side of the story is not told, which implies the lack of feminine narrative in Victorian society | ||
Women had no right to vote or hold power outside of the home, so were politically silenced | ||
Browning is criticising the Duke’s abuse of power over his wife, so is therefore criticising the inequality between men and women in his society |
Structure
Browning structures the poem in one single stanza, reflecting the Duke’s mastery, but his use of punctuation fractures the poem as it progresses, mirroring the fracturing of the Duke’s calm exterior manner to reveal the emotions, frustration and violence within.
Theme | Evidence | Poet’s intention |
Power and mastery | Single verse/no stanzas | This shows the poem is set in one single place and moment in time |
Makes the Duke’s dominance overwhelming, as the single stanza structure also seems overwhelming at first | ||
Poet gives a sense of the poem being the Duke’s stream of consciousness - his unfiltered thoughts and feelings | ||
This suggests he lacks control over himself, even though he tries to exert control over others | ||
Poem uses traditional iambic pentameter | Reflects how the Duke holds traditional views about women | |
The regular rhyme scheme also gives a natural, conversational tone | ||
Browning uses rhyming couplets, such as: “That’s 'My Last Duchess Ferrara' painted on the wall, Looking as if she were alive. I call…” | This suggests the Duke’s desire for control, by using carefully considered and refined speech | |
Browning adds to the sense of natural speech through the use of enjambment | The Duke again dominates the conversation, but the enjambment shows he is rambling (linking again to the sense of this being a stream of consciousness) | |
For example, “The bough of cherries some officious fool Broke in the orchard for her…” | When he loses control of the structure of his speech, he reveals glimpses of his inner nature | |
Browning continues to interrupt the Duke’s speech through the use of punctuation, such as parenthesis and dashes | The deliberate use of punctuation demonstrates the Duke getting sidetracked | |
For example: “But to myself they turned (since none puts by The curtain I have drawn for you, but I)” And: “A heart - how shall I say? - too soon made glad,” | This suggests his smooth exterior is starting to crack, and his inner emotions and violence are starting to show, as he cannot keep up the controlled conversational meter | |
Browning also employs caesura to show that the Duke keeps interrupting himself | This further breaks up the rhythm of the poem and makes it tiring to listen to | |
This does not concern the Duke, however, which can be seen as a sign of too much pride and self-obsession | ||
Even when he does imply his last Duchess’s fate, he then returns to his smooth rhythm and polite facade |
Language
Browning further brings the character of the Duke to life through his choice of language, but does not employ many literary devices, so that when he does, they stand out. The language is quite simple in order for the character of the Duke to give a clear message about not challenging his power. Here, language is explored via the key themes of social structure and class, and sexism and oppression
Theme | Evidence | Poet’s intention |
Social structure and class | When speaking to the envoy, the Duke uses the terms “Sir” and “you” | These formal terms of address establish the Duke’s social superiority over the envoy |
The Duke “invites” the envoy to “sit” and “rise” through rhetorical questions | These rhetorical questions are actually commands. The Duke expects the envoy to obey | |
The Duke is proud of his “nine-hundred-years-old-name” | He believes that the superior social status and “gift” of his family name should have been respected above everything else by his wife | |
Here, Browning is commenting on the arrogance, pride and abuse of power by those who have inherited it | ||
The Duke chooses “never to stoop” | He refuses to lower himself to what he believes is his wife’s inferior level | |
The Duke uses an obvious euphemism for his last Duchess’s murder: “-I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together.-” | The Duke is clear that people obey him. He gave the command to have his wife murdered | |
He believes that he is superior and his family name gives him power enough to be able to do this without consequence | ||
The repetition of “I” also shows how self-obsessed the Duke is | ||
Sexism and oppression | Browning uses possessive pronouns when the Duke refers to his wife as “my” last Duchess | The Duke views his wife as a possession, rather than as an individual |
He also refers to her as “it” in the line, “The depth and passion of its earnest glance,” | It suggests that he can buy a wife like a piece of art | |
In addition, he calls her his “Duchess” rather than wife | This implies a lack of affection and his wife as an accessory, rather than a partner | |
Again, the use of the pronoun “his” demonstrates his feelings of ownership and absolute power over his spouse | ||
Browning is commenting on the loss of name, rights and power of women upon marriage, and the objectification of women as something to be owned by men | ||
Browning uses symbolism in the form of the Duchess as a painting, the viewing of which no one but the Duke can control | This suggests he is threatened by other men enjoying looking upon her beauty | |
It highlights the absolute control he had over her, not just in life, but also in death | ||
The Duke moves fluidly from discussing his last wife to his new wife | This indicates that the women are not special to him and are disposable | |
This is reinforced when the Duke moves seamlessly from talking about her painting to his new statue of Neptune | ||
The statue of Neptune taming a sea-horse is symbolic | This parallels the Duke who has attempted to use his domestic power to “tame” a wife that was “too easily impressed” by other things | |
He transformed her into a painting which he could control | ||
By showing the statue to the envoy, he is also issuing a warning that his new wife needs to be more easily tamed | ||
Browning uses the metaphor of the Duchess having a heart “too soon made glad” | By reading between the lines, the Duchess is presented as innocent and delighted by all of nature’s things | |
She is embarrassed by compliments, easily pleased and pleasant to everyone | ||
The Duke misinterprets this as unfaithfulness | ||
He is driven possibly mad by jealousy and pride | ||
He values wealth, status and possessions over natural beauty and the beauty of the earth | ||
Browning employs dramatic irony to imply the Duke’s sinister real character | The reader is able to read between the lines and detect the sinister undertone of the Duke’s comments | |
For example, when he says: “Twas not her husband’s presence only, called that spot Of joy into the Duchess’ cheek:” And: “Her looks went everywhere” | The Duke was paranoid and suspicious of the Duchess, and believed (or claimed) that she was unfaithful |
Exam Tip
This poem has themes of both power over others, and the loss of power over oneself. There is also conflict present in the vocal dominance of the Duke, versus the silent submission of his Duchess. Ensure you have read the exam question carefully and stay focused on the question in your analysis. Integrate your exploration of Browning’s language, form and structural elements into the key themes as directly related to the focus of the exam question. Ask yourself: “How relevant to the theme is Browning’s choice here? And why?”
Themes
While knowing the poem is important, you also need to be able to show the examiner that you can write an informed, personal response. Therefore, you need to develop a solid understanding of the theme, main ideas and events depicted.
It is still important to have an awareness of background information that is relevant to the themes in the poem, even though you are not explicitly assessed on context. This can help you develop a sustained, critical understanding of the text
To help you do this, the section below has been divided into two main themes that Browning explores in 'My Last Duchess Ferrara':
Social criticism
Sexism and oppression
Social criticism
'My Last Duchess Ferrara' is set in Italy during the Italian Renaissance
At this time in Italy, art was heavily valued
The artists and the artwork mentioned in the poem, as well as the Duke himself, are fictional
However, it is likely that the character of the Duke was based on Alfonso II, the fifth Duke of Ferrara
His wife died in suspicious circumstances
Browning was born in London, but spent most of his life in Italy
Changing the setting of the poem allowed him to better disguise his criticism of society
Sexism and oppression
The poem was written at the start of the Victorian era, during the Industrial Revolution
This was a period when society was starting to change
Women were starting to demand equality and it saw the beginning of the suffrage movement
In the 1800s, when a woman married, she became the legal property of her husband
The only way for a woman to gain status or influence was via her husband
This is shown in the poem through the Duke’s “gift of a nine-hundred-years-old-name”
It was also believed that women were incapable of rational thought
This is reflected in the line “I choose never to stoop”
This suggests there is no point in arguing with a woman as she cannot understand
The poem can therefore be considered a criticism of Victorian attitudes towards women and their effort to suppress female sexuality
Browning was a liberal, who married for love
His wife was also a well-respected poet in her own right
Victorian Britain was also very modest and traditional
It could be argued that the Duke’s obsession with controlling and ultimately “fixing” his wife’s behaviour reflects Victorian society’s obsession with the reputation of women remaining perfect
Furthermore, the conflict in the poem displays itself not only in the power the Duke has over the Duchess’s life, but also between how the Duke presents himself to the outside world versus his true character
Conflict arose when the Duke realised that he ultimately couldn’t control the Duchess’s behaviour in line with his expectations of a wife
He retaliated by killing her, which is an abuse of his power and control
This also demonstrates how easily those in power can lose control
Comparing poems
In your exam, you will be required to compare two poems from the anthology so you must have a good knowledge of poetic form, content and meaning to compare the poems effectively.
You must be able to explore links and connections between texts, which includes looking at both poets’ use of language, form and structure.
In 'My Last Duchess Ferrara', Browning’s main ideas are centred around defiance and grief, therefore, the following comparisons would be a good starting point:
'My Last Duchess Ferrara' and ‘La Belle Dame sans Merci'
'My Last Duchess Ferrara' and 'Sonnet 116'
For each pair of poems, you will find:
Comparison summary
Similarities and differences between the ideas presented in each poem
Evidence and analysis of these similarities and differences
'My Last Duchess Ferrara' and 'La Belle Dame sans Merci'
Comparison summary:
Both poems examine the complexity of love and explore its connections with death. The poems present intensely passionate love that ends tragically. However, while Keats's poem is a romantic ballad about a deceived knight, Browning’s dramatic monologue examines a Duke’s jealous control.
Similarities:
Topic sentence | Both poems present perspectives of male speakers who appear to have been driven mad by seductive female characters | |
Evidence and analysis | ''My Last Duchess Ferrara' | 'La Belle Dame sans Merci |
Browning presents a first-person speaker who describes his wife’s flirtatious nature:
| The poem describes a lady’s seductive powers:
| |
Browning uses caesura and exclamations to show the Duke’s unstable voice: “She thanked men—good! but thanked”:
| Keats uses exclamation marks and caesura to portray the knight’s emotional state: “—Ah! woe betide!—” and when the dead men warn him of her powers: “Thee hath in thrall!’”:
| |
Topic sentence | Both poems explore love that leads to death | |
Evidence and analysis | 'My Last Duchess Ferrara' ' | La Belle Dame sans Merci' |
Browning’s speaker implies the Duke has killed his wife while he shows off a painting of her “Looking as if she were alive” | Keats’s poem depicts a knight who is “Alone and palely loitering”:
| |
In Browning’s poem, too, the love ends with death:
| The knight in Keats's poem is lured to his death by a lady:
| |
Differences:
Topic sentence | 'La Belle Dame sans Merci' is a conversation between a speaker and a knight on a hillside about a comforting albeit brief relationship, while 'My Last Duchess Ferrara' is a dramatic monologue about jealousy and control within marriage | |
Evidence and analysis | 'My Last Duchess Ferrara' | 'La Belle Dame sans Merci' |
Browning’s dramatic monologue in which only the Duke’s voice is heard conveys imbalance and control:
| In contrast, Keats’s poem depicts a balanced conversation and relationship:
| |
In Browning’s poem, conversely, the “Last Duchess” is described with adverbs expressing the Duke’s criticisms of her:
| The knight describes the lady’s comforting and nurturing nature:
| |
‘My Last Duchess Ferrara’ and ‘Sonnet 116’
Comparison summary:
Both poems deal with the idea of love. In ‘Sonnet 116’, the speaker states that love is eternal, too powerful to fade or change over time. However, in ‘My Last Duchess Ferrara’, love is presented as controlling, dangerous and inconstant.
Differences:
Topic sentence | The love is presented as eternal in ‘Sonnet 116’ but controlling in ‘My Last Duchess Ferrara’. | |
Evidence and analysis | ‘My Last Duchess Ferrara’ | ‘Sonnet 116’ |
Sibilance is used to emphasise the duke’s sinister disapproval and control of his first wife:
Then all smiles stopped together” | The poem uses alliteration to highlight their belief that true love endures:
| |
The speaker uses a metaphor to describe his late wife:
| The speaker uses universally celebrated metaphors to present love as a guiding light through life:
| |
Personification is also used in this poem when referring to the duchess’s painting:
| The speaker personifies Time and also Love:
| |
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