My Last Duchess Questions on The Portrait
My Last Duchess
Analysis of literary devices, imagery, symbols, metaphors, and poetic techniques in Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess."
In "My Last Duchess," Robert Browning employs various literary devices, including imagery and symbolism. The painting of the Duchess symbolizes control and objectification. Metaphors such as "spot of...
My Last Duchess
Repetition and imagery in "My Last Duchess" and their significance to the speaker
Repetition and imagery in "My Last Duchess" are used to reveal the Duke's controlling and possessive nature. He repeatedly mentions the Duchess's behavior and his displeasure with it, while vivid...
My Last Duchess
Why might a painter choose to work directly on a wall, as in "My Last Duchess"?
A painter might choose to work directly on a wall for practical reasons, such as creating a fresco. However, in "My Last Duchess," it seems more likely that the Duke's description is imprecise. The...
My Last Duchess
What Italian Renaissance elements are found in "My Last Duchess"?
"My Last Duchess" features Italian Renaissance elements like the Duke of Ferrara, a character modeled after Renaissance nobleman Alfonso II d'Este, who epitomizes the era's materialism. The Duke's...
My Last Duchess
Why is the Duke's portrait positioned on a landing and covered with a curtain?
The Duke's portrait of his wife is likely kept in a private room, such as a library or study, not on a staircase, and it is covered with a curtain. This suggests the Duke values the painting but...
My Last Duchess
Does "My Last Duchess" contain any references to physical gratification?
"My Last Duchess" implicitly addresses physical gratification through the Duke's focus on the Duchess's physical appearance and his appreciation for art's sensual beauty. The Duke describes her...