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Essay
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My Last Duchess by Robert Browning
Task: Choose a poem which deals with a real or imaginary person or place.
Show how the person or place is introduced and how the techniques
used give a convincing portrayal of that person or place.
SQA Past Paper/Int2/2004/Q7
My Last Duchess by Robert Browning is a poem which deals with
the imaginary character of the Duke of Ferrara. In essence, the poem is a
psychological portrayal of the Duke presented to the reader as if he or she is
simply listening in on a conversation. As the poem unfolds, the reader
becomes aware that the Duke is talking to an envoy from his fiances
family in order to make final arrangements for his new marriage. Thus, the
nature of the discussion seems rather strange as the Duke is standing in front
of a portrait of his former wife, recounting memories of his last marriage.
The fact that the reader is able to get a strong sense of what the Duke is like,
is testament to Brownings skilful use of the dramatic monologue form,
coupled with effective word choice and imagery.
I found the use of the dramatic monologue particularly effective in
creating a convincing portrayal of the character of the duke as it allowed me
to feel that I could judge a character with no interference from the writer. Of
course, the fact that I felt this way is indicative of Brownings successful use
of the form as nonetheless, the character of the Duke is his creation.
Furthermore, while Browning uses the highly regular form of iambic
pentameter with lines arranged into rhyming couplets, he successfully
employs the technique of enjambment to allow the poem to adopt a speech
like rhythm. This is effective as it makes the conversation seem more
realistic, portraying the character in a more convincing and acceptable way.
The title: My Last Duchess and first line of the poem give an
immediate impression of what the Duke is like. The use of the possessive
my is the first clear indication of the Dukes possessive and controlling
nature as he refers to his former wife as nothing more than a possession.
This aspect of his nature is further emphasised by the fact that at no point in
the monologue does the Duke refer to his former wife by her name. Such