The Last Duchess Essay
A Tainted Perception of a Beautiful Duchess
In Robert Browning’s dramatic monologue, “The Last Duchess”, the Duke portrays himself as a prideful, eloquent, man who is impassioned by his art. Throughout the poem, the reader soon learns and observes his jealous, possessive nature that is concealed within his character. The Duke subtly reveals characteristics of “ruthlessness, cynicism, contempt for human life” within himself and has an uncontrollable “lust for power”. (Joshua Adler, 223) Art possesses a significant role throughout this poem as it reveals the troubled, twisted relationship between the Duke and his last Duchess and how he uses his painting of her to exhibit control.
The Duke display’s the painting of his last Duchess on a wall …show more content…
An element of control is exhibited through his behavior in regards to the painting since only he is able to open and close the curtain. The Duke seems to have a “related habit of treating people as objects. He is able to enjoy possession of his wife fully only when she has become a painting on the wall.” Only “then he can call that piece a wonder.” (222) Presenting his former Duchess as a painting allows him to control the perception of how others see her now; she has no voice to say otherwise. Throughout his marriage with his former Duchess, he was constantly dissatisfied with her smile, as she blushed at nearly every man who passed. To ultimately satisfy him, he “gave commands; then the smiles stopped together.” (line 46) Ironically enough, he still chose to have her presented with the smile he had grown to despise. To conclude the poem, the Duke addressing another painting of “Neptune taming a sea-horse, a creature symbolic of vitality and freedom.” (220) This subtly implies that the Duke would not allow the Count’s daughter to keep her freedom and liveliness. The Duke would represent Neptune, a man who holds great power and control, and the Counts daughter would represent the seahorse, who is being manipulated and forced to act in a certain way. The Duke intends that “His next Duchess’ fair self is his object”.
In Robert Browning’s dramatic monologue, “The Last Duchess”, the Duke portrays himself as a prideful, eloquent, man who is impassioned by his art. Throughout the poem, the reader soon learns and observes his jealous, possessive nature that is concealed within his character. The Duke subtly reveals characteristics of “ruthlessness, cynicism, contempt for human life” within himself and has an uncontrollable “lust for power”. (Joshua Adler, 223) Art possesses a significant role throughout this poem as it reveals the troubled, twisted relationship between the Duke and his last Duchess and how he uses his painting of her to exhibit control.
The Duke display’s the painting of his last Duchess on a wall …show more content…
An element of control is exhibited through his behavior in regards to the painting since only he is able to open and close the curtain. The Duke seems to have a “related habit of treating people as objects. He is able to enjoy possession of his wife fully only when she has become a painting on the wall.” Only “then he can call that piece a wonder.” (222) Presenting his former Duchess as a painting allows him to control the perception of how others see her now; she has no voice to say otherwise. Throughout his marriage with his former Duchess, he was constantly dissatisfied with her smile, as she blushed at nearly every man who passed. To ultimately satisfy him, he “gave commands; then the smiles stopped together.” (line 46) Ironically enough, he still chose to have her presented with the smile he had grown to despise. To conclude the poem, the Duke addressing another painting of “Neptune taming a sea-horse, a creature symbolic of vitality and freedom.” (220) This subtly implies that the Duke would not allow the Count’s daughter to keep her freedom and liveliness. The Duke would represent Neptune, a man who holds great power and control, and the Counts daughter would represent the seahorse, who is being manipulated and forced to act in a certain way. The Duke intends that “His next Duchess’ fair self is his object”.