Historical Context
Browning's poem, set in Renaissance Italy, might reveal more about Victorian attitudes towards the period than about the Renaissance itself. The event depicted in the poem is taken from the life of Alfonso II, a Spanish nobleman who served as the Duke of Ferrara in sixteenth-century Italy. Alfonso's first wife, Lucrezia, belonged to the Italian Borgia family and was the daughter of a man who would later become pope. Although she passed away just three years into their marriage—subsequently being replaced, as the poem indicates, by the daughter of the Count of Tyrol—Lucrezia turned the Ferrara court into a hub for Renaissance artists, including the renowned Venetian painter Titian. Consequently, Ferrara became a model of the aesthetic revival occurring throughout Italy.
The term Renaissance, derived from the French word for "rebirth," refers to a period marked by cultural and intellectual advancements as well as political events. Spanning roughly from 1350 to 1700, the Renaissance saw Europeans reviving classical Greek and Roman ideals that had lain dormant since the fall of the Roman Empire in the fifth century. Renaissance artists and thinkers believed that classical art, science, philosophy, and literature had been lost during the "dark ages" following Rome's collapse. They felt these ideals were waiting to be rediscovered, and Italians, in particular, saw themselves as the rightful inheritors of Roman achievements. Consequently, it was fitting that the Renaissance began in Italy, where the remnants of ancient civilization continually reminded people of their classical heritage and where other artistic movements, such as the Gothic, had never fully taken root.
In Italy, the artistic achievements of the Renaissance were largely supported by a patronage system: wealthy individuals commissioned paintings, sculptures, and buildings to celebrate their own accomplishments. The works of artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Donatello are direct results of this patronage, reflecting the period's ideals. Chief among these Renaissance ideals was humanism. Like the ancient Greeks and Romans, Renaissance artists and thinkers valued earthly life, exalted human nature, and celebrated individual achievements. These perspectives combined to foster a new spirit of optimism—the belief that humanity was capable of remarkable accomplishments.
However, the Renaissance had its darker aspects, and many people in Browning's era often viewed the period negatively. This perspective subtly reflected the Victorians' own flaws and anxieties. For example, just as Renaissance humanism seemed to prioritize humanity over God, the Victorians were grappling with questions about God's existence in the wake of Darwinism. Likewise, their experiences showed that the peaks of civilization and progress did not necessarily align with moral virtues. As England engaged in colonial wars and dealt with widespread poverty in its industrial towns, Victorians looked to the Renaissance to feel morally superior. They had some reasons for this outlook. Despite its cultural achievements, the Renaissance was marred by corruption, depravity, and violence. The same power that enabled wealthy families to commission magnificent art also allowed them to crush rivals, whether individuals or entire cities. Nearly all noble art patrons, including the notorious Borgia family—of which the historical "last Duchess" was a member—were implicated in murders.
Expert Q&A
What does the Duke's visitor's presence reveal about the poem's context?
The visitor in the poem is an emissary for a count whose daughter the Duke aims to marry, revealing the Duke's interest in the dowry and his objectification of people. This visit prompts the Duke to recount the story of his last duchess, highlighting his obsession with control and material possession, as shown by his pride in the portrait of his deceased wife. The Duke's attitude towards the dowry and his previous marriage underscores his manipulative nature.
The Duke's Attitudes Toward Women, Social Hierarchy, and Dowry in "My Last Duchess"
In Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess," the Duke's attitudes towards women, social hierarchy, and dowry are revealed through his possessive and objectifying view of women, whom he treats as collectibles, akin to art. He expects women to be entirely submissive, valuing his status over their individuality. The Duke's negotiations for a new wife reflect the patriarchal and hierarchical society, where women are treated as property, and dowries are central to marriage arrangements. His reference to the "last duchess" underscores his view of women as replaceable trophies.
Cultural, Social, and Historical Context of "My Last Duchess"
"My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning reflects the Victorian Age's patriarchal norms and societal expectations of women. The Duke's treatment of his wife as property highlights the lack of women's autonomy during both the Victorian era and the Italian Renaissance. The poem critiques male dominance and the objectification of women, as illustrated by the Duke's possessive control over his late wife's portrait. Historically, it references Renaissance Italy's aristocracy and the social custom of dowries, underscoring women's powerlessness in marital arrangements.
Compare and Contrast
1842: English social reformer Edwin Chadwick publishes "Sanitary Conditions of the Labouring Population of Great Britain." The report reveals the dire conditions and high disease rates among England's factory workers, shocking the public and highlighting the urgent need for reform.
Today: Although workers' living conditions in developed nations are generally acceptable, annual United Nations reports indicate that workers in Third World countries still face persistent poverty, disease, and occupational hazards.
1843: A British force of 2,800 men led by Sir Charles Napier defeats a 30,000-strong Baluch Army, compelling the Muslim emirs of Sind in India to surrender their independence to the East India Company.
Today: Great Britain hands over Hong Kong, the crown jewel of its remaining Asian colonies, to the Republic of China. For many, this event signifies the ongoing shift of power from Europe to other parts of the world.
1846: Following a series of crop failures, Parliament repeals the Corn Laws, thereby reducing tariff duties on imported goods and paving the way for free trade.
Today: The political debate in Britain focuses on whether the country should replace the pound with the Euro. The European Union advocates for a single multinational currency to unify Europe into a single economic entity.
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