My Last Duchess Essay

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“Love can eat away at the human psyche, causing a person to turn against their lover.” This is my impression of the Duke after reading the poem “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning; who was a famous English poet during the 19th century, male dominated Italian Renaissance, (ruled by Kings and Dukes). The Duke begins the poem by accommodating the agent, who represents a famous and powerful family. The agent is to arrange the Duke’s future wedding. The Duke stops when he approaches the portrait of his last Duchess and remembers her life. He expresses disgust at the Duchess’s behavior during the painting of her portrait. He further insinuates, alleges and assumes the behavior to be flirtatious, free-spirited and nonchalant. It is assumed that he killed her and that his future wife will not repeat the behavior of the last Duchess. The Duke’s character in the poem implies …show more content…

What is he thinking? How is he thinking? And how he plans to get rid of what he is thinking? He never states what she has done (an actual event where she demonstrates adultery). He bases his evidence of adultery on her smiles and beauty. Then he implies while looking at the portrait of the Duchess, inclination of what the painter says to her; this is all in his head. His mind is playing tricks on him and he is assuming things. He mentions that she is free spirited, easy to please, nothing bothers her and men like her. The Duchess beauty and her personality are liked by everyone. The Duke implies that the Duchess is flirtatious and unfaithful “She thanked men, --I know not how—” (31-32). How is he thinking? He sends a message to the reader that the Duchess is a whore. Her beauty and carefree behavior is unacceptable to the Duke and, hence, his feelings got in the way, which brings negativity in his mind. He then utters in his mind that the easy behavior of a Duchess did not fit the role of a Duchess and she has to

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