"My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary setting of the poem?

A Venetian ballroom during a masquerade
A bustling marketplace in Florence
The Duke's art gallery in Ferrara (correct)
A somber castle in Spain

The Duke claims that only he can draw the curtain that conceals the Duchess's portrait.

True (A)

What is the Duke showing to the visitor in the poem?

His garden
His horses
His art collection (correct)
His library

Who is Fra Pandolf?

The painter of the Duchess's portrait. Signup and view all the answers

The Duchess's 'spot of joy' was caused by the Duke always complimenting her.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

The phrase 'the faint Half-flush that dies along her throat' definitively indicates that Fra Pandolf was attempting to capture the Duchess's deteriorating health prior to her death.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why does the Duke mention Fra Pandolf when discussing the portrait of his late Duchess?

To highlight the skill of the artist and the lifelike quality of the painting, while also subtly hinting at the Duchess's perceived flirtatiousness. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The Duke points out 'the dropping of the ______ in the West' as something that pleased the Duchess.

daylight Signup and view all the answers

The detail regarding the 'white mule She rode with round the terrace' serves primarily as a symbol of the Duchess's refined taste and appreciation for equestrian pursuits, indicative of her noble upbringing.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

The Duke was primarily upset that the Duchess was impolite to him in front of other people.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

The Duke was displeased that the Duchess ranked his 'nine-hundred-years-old ______' with anyone's gift.

name Signup and view all the answers

The Duke says 'I choose Never to stoop.' What does this mean?

He refuses to lower himself to argue or explain. (D) Signup and view all the answers

The line, 'the bough of cherries some officious fool / Broke in the orchard for her,' suggests what about the Duke's perception of the Duchess?

He believed she was easily impressed by insignificant gestures. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The Duke's primary concern is maintaining his family's wealth.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What statement best explains the line, 'I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together'?

The Duke orchestrated the Duchess's death. (D) Signup and view all the answers

The Duke is negotiating with an agent representing a Count to arrange the Duke's marriage to the Count's daughter.

True (A) Signup and view all the answers

The Duke is actively drawing the curtain for all visitors to view the painting.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Duke's insistence that 'none puts by / The curtain I have drawn for you, but I'?

It emphasizes his power and control over the Duchess, even in her representation, as he alone decides who can view her portrait. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the Duke's attitude toward the emissary?

Condescending and manipulative (A) Signup and view all the answers

Match the Duke's complaints about the Duchess with the underlying character flaw they reveal:

She 'liked whate'er she looked on' = Jealousy and a need to be the sole focus of her attention. She thanked men 'as if she ranked my gift with anybody's gift' = Arrogance and a belief in his inherent superiority due to his noble lineage. Her looks 'went everywhere' = Possessiveness and an inability to tolerate her independent spirit or innocent interactions. She was 'too soon made glad, too easily impressed' = Condescension and a disdain for her genuine appreciation of life's simple pleasures. Signup and view all the answers

Match the Duke's references to art and artists with what they reveal about his values:

His emphasis on Fra Pandolf's skill = He equates artistic excellence with social status and prestige. His ownership of the Duchess's portrait = Art serves as another form of possession and control for him. His description of the Neptune statue = He admires power and dominance, seeing art as a celebration of these qualities His need to control who views the art = Art is something to be guarded and used to impress others. Signup and view all the answers

Consider the dramatic irony in the Duke's statement, 'Wilt please you sit and look at her?' What is the deeper meaning behind this seemingly polite invitation?

The dramatic irony resides in the Duke's seemingly polite invitation, which masks a chilling display of control and possessiveness. While appearing to offer a gracious viewing of art, he's actually asserting his dominance by controlling access to her image and dictating the narrative surrounding her life and death. Signup and view all the answers

Explore the significance of the Duke's phrase 'too easily impressed' in relation to the Duchess. How does this characterization serve to justify his actions?

The Duke uses 'too easily impressed' to imply the Duchess lacked discernment and proper appreciation for his status. This seemingly innocuous trait becomes, in his eyes, a flaw that warrants his extreme response, as he felt her indiscriminate appreciation diminished his unique value. Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from the Duke's transition from discussing the Duchess to discussing his plans for his next marriage?

It suggests that he views marriage as a transaction to increase his status and power, rather than a partnership based on love or respect. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the implications of the Duke showing the portrait of his 'last Duchess' to a representative of another noble family. What does this suggest about his intentions for a future marriage?

Showing the portrait serves as a subtle warning and demonstration of the Duke's power to the envoy. By showcasing what happened to his 'last Duchess,' he subtly communicates his expectations for absolute obedience and control in his next marriage, implying consequences for any perceived transgression. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways does the Duke's art collection, specifically the statue of Neptune taming a sea-horse, serve as a metaphor for his relationship with the Duchess?

The statue of Neptune taming a sea-horse is a metaphor for the Duke's desire to control and dominate. Just as Neptune subdues the wild sea-horse, the Duke sought to control and 'tame' the Duchess's spirit and independent nature, viewing her as something to be possessed and mastered. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Duke's monologue format impact the reader's interpretation of the events described?

It provides a biased perspective, allowing the reader to infer the Duke's true nature and the Duchess's character through his unreliable narration. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the poem critique the social norms and expectations of the time period in which it is set?

It critiques the objectification of women and the expectation that they should be subservient to their husbands, highlighting the power imbalances in aristocratic marriages. Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Duchess

The central female character depicted in the poem, representing beauty and complexity.

Fra Pandolf

The artist who painted the portrait of the Duchess, representing skill and artistry.

Jealousy

An emotion felt by the Duke due to the Duchess's affections for others, underlying the poem's tension.

Social Status

The Duke's concern with lineage and rank, reflected in his disdain for the Duchess's appreciation for smaller gestures.