Themes: Discernment and Hierarchy
“My Last Duchess” centers around the fundamental difference in worldview between the duke of Ferrara and his late wife. Whereas the duchess looked favorably on all manner of things, the duke had—and continues to have—a far more hierarchical perception of the world. To him, there are clear differences in quality between things, differences which one should discern and respect.
In his account, the duke portrays the duchess as someone with an undifferentiated appreciation for the things of the world. She was
Too easily impressed; she liked whate’er
She looked on, and her looks went everywhere.
Sir, ’twas all one!
Events of all kinds—compliments, gifts, or vistas—elicited the same approving remark from her. The duke cannot fathom this broad appreciation of reality, and although he calls this difference between him and his late wife a “trifling” matter, it in fact drove him to murder.
The poem strongly suggests that the duke’s strict discernment is related to his aristocratic background and title. The hierarchical sensibility of the aristocracy has political underpinnings; after all, aristocrats depend upon a tiered social structure that places them at the top. This can be seen overtly in the duke’s indignation that the duchess did not single out the duke’s “gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name” as being particularly worthy of appreciation. For the duke, the value of discernment is tied to his sense of his own value. Stated simply, he feels that some things are better than others and that he, the duke of Ferrara, is one of the best things of all.
Expert Q&A
Why is the "name" significant to the Duke in "My Last Duchess"?
The "name" is significant to the Duke in "My Last Duchess" because it represents his pride and self-importance. He feels that his wife disrespected his prestigious nine-hundred-year-old family name by not showing enough gratitude and treating it as equal to any other gift. This perceived slight contributes to his decision to silence her permanently, showcasing his arrogance and obsession with power.
Why does the Duke tell the "last duchess" story to his prospective father-in-law's servant?
Does the Duke in Browning's "My Last Duchess" treat his wife as an object?
In "My Last Duchess," the Duke treats his wife as an object, viewing her as a possession rather than a person. He expects her to focus solely on him, and when she doesn't, he becomes angry. The Duke's attitude is part of a broader narcissistic and egocentric personality, treating everything, including art and people, as possessions. This reflects a critique of certain societal attitudes, not just misogyny, but a more comprehensive critique of possessiveness and control.
What is the significance of the line "gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name" in "My Last Duchess"?
The line "gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name" in "My Last Duchess" highlights the Duke's pride in his noble lineage and his expectation that his wife should value his family name above all else. Her failure to prioritize his "gift" over others' attentions wounded his pride, leading him to extreme measures. This line underscores the Duke's obsession with status and control, valuing his heritage more than love or life.
Analysis of the Duke and Duchess's Relationship and Character Traits in "My Last Duchess"
In Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess," the Duke is portrayed as a cold, jealous, and controlling figure who is displeased by the Duchess's friendly and joyful nature. He perceives her as too easily impressed and too friendly with others, which wounds his pride. The Duke's dissatisfaction leads him to "give commands" that result in her death, allowing him to seek a new wife and dowry. The Duchess is depicted as charming and gracious, but her qualities are viewed negatively by the Duke due to his possessive nature.
Why is the word "last" used before "Duchess" in "My Last Duchess"?
The word "last" before "Duchess" denotes that the beautiful woman in the painting is the Duke of Ferrara’s most recent wife. "Last" also conveys the finality of his late wife’s fate, as Browning suggests that the woman was killed by the jealous duke. Finally, "last" conjures hope that perhaps the dead wife is indeed the last duchess and that the duke will not ensnare the count’s daughter to be his next wife and victim.
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