Tralin Henderson
Mr. Mrozik
English 11
2/14/2018
“My Last Duchess” End of Unit Essay
In the poem “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning, there are many connections relating to the Duke’s character. In lines 45-47 of “My Last Duchess” a quote displays almost all of his dangerous characteristics. The Duke is a jealous, controlling, and arrogant man. The Duke shows no pity for the Duchess. The Duke is just a plain stereotypical madman. “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning tells a story about a madman and his past wife.
First of all, the Duke is a very jealous man. The Duke’s jealousy gets the best of him when he notices the Duchess being kind to everybody. The Duke is jealous when Fra Pandolf, the painter, gives the Duchess compliments. The Duke states, “‘T was not/ Her husband’s presence only, call’d that spot/ Of joy” (lines 13-15). The Duke is jealous that the painter can give her joy and happiness, too. The Duke notices that the Duchess was “Too easily impress’d” (line 23). The Duchess “look’d on, and her looks went everywhere/ Sir, ‘t was all one!” (line 24-25). The Duke is jealous of her happiness because he wasn’t the only person or thing that gave her that happiness. The Duke’s jealousy, is molding him to become a madman.
Secondly, the Duke is a man that believes in power and control. Fortunately for the Duke, he is very powerful and controlling. Throughout “My Last Duchess” the Duke shows how controlling he is. The D...
