My Last Duchess Essay

892 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Behaviour of jealousy

They say true love only comes around once and one has to hold out and be strong until then. If such a time comes, how does one make sure their love lasts? The ideas of jealousy, guilt and trust all play major key roles through love and companionship with one another. But when one is betrayed, some seek out revenge. Back in the early 1500’s, revenge was seen by torture and or execution for such acts committed against a spouse. However, with such a dramatic change in the way we love today, revenge has taken on a whole new meaning. Therefore, looking into Robert Browning’s “My Last Duchess”, we see the speaker, also known as the Duke of Ferrara, tell the story of his last Duchess to the servant. We receive an in depth view of jealousy and the unfortunate consequences through the speakers calm unseen controlling and angry attitude towards the last Duchess.
Speaking …show more content…

While telling the story of his last Duchess to the servant, the amount of anger the Duke has, pours out through his interaction. The Duchess on her “white mule / [s]he rode with round the terrace” is resembled as a very disloyal and trifling woman after her actions against the Duke (Line 28-29). After her behaviors, the Duke gives the auditor the idea he has little remorse for anyone who turns against him. Claiming to the auditor “[s]he had / [a] heart-how shall I say?-too soon made glad” shows how much hatred and disgust the Duke built up for the Duchess (Line 21-22). The previous quote gives the auditor a feeling of how calm the speaker can be, yet deep inside he has bubbled up resentment from her actions. Furthermore, the idea of anger in anyone’s mind after an incident like such is normal, but when looking into the conversation of the speaker, the anger he possesses is overwhelming considering the miniscule act

Show More
Related

  • Queen Elizabeth 1 Essay

    677 Words  | 2 Pages

    During her entire rule, Elizabeth I allowed for England to reach an equilibrium in its religious affairs through “The Elizabethan Settlement”, or her religious compromise. The Book of Common Prayer, issued by the Edward VI’s advisor Thomas Cranmer, was restored by Elizabeth....

    Read More

  • A Comparison Of Othello And Rupert Brooke's Jealousy

    1831 Words  | 4 Pages

    Heartbreak— the foreboding word that many people fear. Whether it is a small whisper of disappointment or the more common, excruciating ordeal associated with a lost or ‘stolen’ love; like many situations, every individual has a different coping mechanism. Yes, the conventional indulging of twenty-something ice cream buckets does apply. However, in the midst or aftermath of a heartbreak, an individual’s pain and sorrow often manifest into a series of alternative emotions such as anger, but more specifically— jealousy. Likewise, in Rupert Brooke’s 'Jealousy' and the excerpt from William Shakespeare’s Othello (III.iii.255-275), both of the speakers’ expression of betrayal by their ex-lovers is built upon a foundation of jealousy. Brooke’s poem

    Read More

  • Comparing Love and Marriage in Canterbury Tales, Lanval, Faerie Queene, and Monsieur's Departure

    672 Words  | 2 Pages

    Medieval and Renaissance literature develops the concepts of love and marriage and records the evolution of the relation between them. In Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, Christian love clashes with courtly love, as men and women grapple with such issues as which partner should rule in marriage, the proper, acceptable role of sex in marriage, and the importance of love as a basis for a successful marriage. Works by earlier writers portray the medieval literary notion of courtly love, the sexual attraction between a chivalric knight and his lady, often the knight's lord's wife. The woman, who generally held mastery in these relationships based on physical desire and consummation, dictated the terms of the knight's duties and obligations, much like a feudal lord over a vassal. This microcosm of romance between man and woman was anchored by the macrocosm of the bonds among men and their fealty to their lord. The dominance of women and fealty to the leader in courtly love contrasts with the dominance ...

    Read More

  • The Princess Bride Essay

    781 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Life isn’t fair, it’s just fairer than death.” (Goldman 358) That was said by William Goldman at the end of his novel The Princess Bride. The Princess Bride is a book about a girl named Buttercup who learns throughout the book, about the difficulties of life. Buttercup learns about love, adventure, and truthfulness of life, and people. Buttercup lived in a farm in Florin opposite from the land of Guilder. Her family owned a boy she called “Farm boy.” Buttercup teased Farm boy and told him what to do. One day, the Count and Countess of Florin show up at Buttercups families farm, and asks for their cows milk, which was said to be the best milk around. The Countess takes an interest in Westly, the farm boy, and Buttercup realizes her love for him. When Buttercup admitted to her love for Westly, he told her he was moving to America to build a future for the both of them. Soon, Buttercup got a call that informed her of Westly’s death, she was petrified. Later in the book, the Prince of Florin decided he needed a princess because his father, the king, was very ill. Soon, he would become king, and there must be a queen. Prince Humperdinck went to Buttercups farm to gather her so she could become his wife. Buttercup did so and the marriage was soon to be. One day, when Buttercup had been living in the Princes castle, she decided to go for a ride on her horse. Buttercup was kidnapped by three men, Inigo, Vizzini, and Fezzik. They were planning on taking Buttercup to Guilder to kill her so there could be a war between Florin and Guilder. The group was followed by a “man in black” who turned out to be Westly Buttercups love. Westly defeated each man and planned on taking Buttercup to...

    Read More

  • Tristan Doomed Romantic Love

    1378 Words  | 3 Pages

    The tale of Tristan, a tragic myth of doomed romantic affection, was one of the most influential romances of the Medieval Era. The story itself speaks closely to the success of adultery whether it may be influenced by a potion or not. Nonetheless, throughout the land, and the people met through vast adventures the one emotion that every person could relate to was love. Love as seen throughout Tristan stretched people to their furthest point in order to conquest what their heart truly desires. However, with that being said love, could also turn out to be doomed from the very start, but even then people will do anything to be with their true love.

    Read More

  • Love Affairs in Le Morte d’Arthur and The Wife of Bath’s Tale

    1595 Words  | 4 Pages

    In a relationship, Love is a feeling that humans share with a special person. Some bonds could be mutual, while others are dissociated. During the Medieval period, love affairs were dominated by one gender, men, and the women had little or no control over decisions. Before a gentleman married a lady, the gentleman first boasted about her beauty, championed the cause of the lady, and did whatever the lady requested. The era was influenced by knights, and dictated by honor and chivalry that each knight had to display to their king and queen. As a gentleman, a knight had to be just at all times, especially toward ladies. At this time, there was a king named Arthur. King Arthur had a flourishing kingdom that abruptly ended. Later on, many authors recounted the story of the reign of King Arthur. Sir Thomas Malory published Le Morte d’Arthur, and Geoffrey Chaucer published The Wife of Bath’s Tale. Although both of these books recount the reign of King Arthur, the stories are very diverse and unique in their own way. Both stories demonstrate for a relationship to be successful, both partners must be submissive, must be brave, and must be willing to learn from mistakes.

    Read More

  • Essay On Marie Antoinette

    682 Words  | 2 Pages

    “I’m sorry, I did not mean to do it.” These were the last words of historical figure, Marie Antoinette, right before being executed for treason. Being viewed as very scandalous in her day, she lived a very interesting life: making the famous quote, “Let them eat cake,” and being accused of treason.

    Read More

  • Courtly Love

    1036 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the Middle Ages, Courtly love was a code which prescribed the conduct between a lady and her lover (Britannica). The relationship of courtly love was very much like the feudal relationship between a knight and his liege. The lover serves his beloved, in the manner a servant would. He owes his devotion and allegiance to her, and she inspires him to perform noble acts of valor (Schwartz). Capellanus writes, in The Art of Courtly Love, “A true lover considers nothing good except what he thinks will please his beloved”. The stories of Marie de France and Chrétien de Troyes illustrate the conventions of courtly love.

    Read More

  • The Wife of Bath: Illustrating Courtly Love

    960 Words  | 2 Pages

    “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” is written in an entertaining and adventurous spirit, but serves a higher purpose by illustrating the century’s view of courtly love. Hundreds, if not thousands, of other pieces of literature written in the same century prevail to commemorate the coupling of breathtaking princesses with lionhearted knights after going through unimaginable adventures, but only a slight few examine the viability of such courtly love and the related dilemmas that always succeed. “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” shows that women desire most their husband’s love, Overall, “The Wife of Bath’s Tale” shows that the meaning of true love does not stay consistent, whether between singular or separate communities and remains timeless as the depictions of love from this 14th century tale still hold true today.

    Read More

  • My Last Duchess

    488 Words  | 1 Pages

    The Duke of Ferrara was made jealous by everything the duchess did, no matter how unimportant it was. He was especially jealous of Fra Pandolf, the man who painted the duchess in the poem. A woman should be pleased only by her husband, as was not the case with the duchess and Fra Pandolf. She was “too easily impressed'; by the painter (line 23). Fra Pandolf was not the only man that made the duke jealous. Everyone who passed the duchess received “much the same smile'; as the duke (line 44). The duke expected to be the only man to receive a smile from his wife.

    Read More

  • Beauty and the Beast

    1627 Words  | 4 Pages

    First, unconditional love is portrayed within Beauty’s relationship with her two mean sisters. The two sisters are disliked by others because of their vain and pride (De Beaumont 32). They ‘always insisted that they would never marry unless they found a duke or, at the very least, a count”, but when men asked Beauty in hand of marriage, she pol...

    Read More

  • My Last Douche Bag

    1171 Words  | 3 Pages

    Through Duke Ferrara’s description of his departed Duchess, it is apparent that he is a controlling individual whose dissatisfaction with the Duchess’ loose behavior led to him arranging her death. When Duke Ferrara was talking to the marriage negotiator about the portrait he has of his last Duchess, he states, “sir, ‘twas not/her husband’s presence only, called the spot/of joy into the Duchess’ cheek” (13-15). When commenting on the expression of his deceased Duchess in the painting, Duke Ferrara claims that the blush of pleasure on her cheeks was caused by numerous individuals, not solely he. Later summarizing the tragic flaw of the Duchess, Duke Ferrara asserts, “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” (23-24). With these words, Duke Ferrara alleges that too many things amazed the Duchess, which dissatisfied him. Also through “her looks went everywhere” (24), Duke Ferrara uses a reference to sexual promiscuity to demonstrate his anger toward her lack of emotional restraint. At the end of his monologue, Duke Ferrara discusses the repercussions of the Duchess’ flirtation: “O...

    Read More

  • The Definition of Love

    1038 Words  | 3 Pages

    Love has been expressed since the beginning of time; since Adam and Eve. Each culture expresses its love in its own special way. Though out history, though, it’s aspect has always been the same. Love has been a major characteristic of literature also. One of the most famous works in literary history is, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. This story deals with the love of a man and a woman who’s families have been sworn enemies. There love surpassed the hatred in which the families endured for generations. In the end they both ended up killing their selves, for one could not live without the other. This story is a perfect example of true love.

    Read More

  • My Last Duches by Robert Browning

    863 Words  | 2 Pages

    There is seldom a more deeply rooted bond than that between an artist and his masterpiece. However, in the poem "My Last Duchess", written by Robert Browning, it is not, in fact, the artist that possesses this bond, but the owner of the artwork. This dramatic monologue seems to be a tragic love story at first; however, as the story progresses, is it revealed to the audience that the grief-stricken Duke may have had some issues with his blushing bride. While addressing a representative of his future fiancé’s father, the Duke relays his thoughts and feelings on the untimely demise of his former Duchess. The Duke is not remorseful over the death of his bride but is instead bitter that she did not fit his expectations of a perfect wife. This is displayed through his lack of grief, his sudden remarriage, and his use of symbolic language to reveal his inner feelings.

    Read More

  • Use of Irony, Diction, and Imagery in My Last Duchess

    760 Words  | 2 Pages

    the Duchess's kindness toward others. Her benevolence "disgusts" the Duke, and causes him to "stoop" down to spouting off "commands" in her direction.

    Read More

More about My Last Duchess Essay

Open Document