My Last Duchess

My Last Duchess and one another(prenominal)(prenominal) poem of your choice? Firstly, the demonstration in My Last Duchess Is a consanguinity that has no equality among the Duke and the Duchess. This Is shown by means of the call of the poem. The term my Is a possessive pronoun and It con nones with the vista that soulfulness has ownership over slightlything else In this case the Duke has ownership over the Duchess. The Duke Is objectifying the Duchess and the reciprocation after Is withstand this suggests that the Duke has had more than one married wo small-arm and they argon his objects, they be non their own person, they belong to him.This is advance reinforced by the line Thats my refinement duchess multicolored on the wall The word painted implies that he has preserved his married woman, that she is at one time a physical object. Also it has been realityufactured by a man her conserve has created her identity through his personal vox populi of her. Furthe r on in the poem the Duke says Nee then would be stooping and I discern never to stoop. he says this beca drop he is annoyed with his wifes actions. The word stooping means to freeze off yourself to someone elses level.This suggests that he believes he his laid-backer up than her, so In target to explain his annoyance and is Jealously he would have to cultivate himself to her level. Furthermore when he says l choose never to stoop. The choose Implies that one has author to make their own decisions and because the Duke has lots of ability cod to high title In the hierarchy It implies that he needs to reinforce the fact that he has lots of power to justify his actions of not explaining his feelings to his wife.The other poem I have chosen is Our Love Now which is similar in the fact that there is no equality in their birth either. There is some sense of equality in the structure, in the sense that he man and the woman get 4 stanzas, with 6 lines. This visually gives the rel ationship in the poem equality on the surface. However the language presents there to be no equality between the two. It is a man who writes this poem he incurs with I said this is a 1st person pronoun- it prioritize his voice, thence content he believes he Is more Important than her.The poet then uses she said for the other slope of the poem. The word she is a 3rd person pronoun he Is talking virtually her and Is therefore a recollection of a dialogue and this means he Is denying her a voice cause he is precisely interpreting what she said, when she business leader not have meant that at all. If the poem is read in numbered stanza order and if it is read in a sequence, the woman bland gets the last word. At the end she says The tree is forever dead. Such is our respect. The tree is a metaphor for the love between the couple and because she says that the love Is forever dead this implies that she believes there love is now non-existent and it result be forever more. Overal l this implies she has ended the relationship, which also implies that she had harbor over the relationship. This could be a reason why he writes the poem, in the way that he does because it gives him a voice and therefore he croupe compensate for the lack of restraint he had over the relationship.The succor presentment of the relationship in My Last Duchess Is that It Is truly separate. This Is due to the feelings that the Duke expresses closely his wife and the fact that she Isnt Interested by him. He first describes the painting to be a valet of wonder, now. The comma represents a pause and therefore the piece and it hasnt always been a Wonder. Due to the painting creation an object ND this is what he saw his wife as, this then reflects his view on her and that he didnt appreciate her that much until she was dead.The word Wonder means a feeling of bewilderment and admiration, cause by something elegant or remarkable. This reveals what the Duke thinks of his wife now th at she is dead, when she was alive he believed she wasnt faithful and didnt appreciate him enough but now he believes in something different, he believes in the complete opponent to what she was when she was alive. However he describes the Duchess to be twats not her husbands resent hardly, cal conduct that bandage of Joy. In this statement the Duke is implying that his wife is well-situated and his wife shouldnt own a quality like this.The spot means she is crimson this is associated with existence embarrassed because they atomic number 18 in love. This then implies that she does not in truth love the Duke she doesnt that belong to him as a lover. This separate relationship is reinforced by his very negative view on her when his wife was alive, he states as if she ranked my gift of a nine-hundred- years-old- design with anybody gift this is an enjambment and the poet has used it o present the Dukes ira and frustration towards his wifes lack of appreciation.The word gift mak es the Duke penetrate like a good person, it is his gift to her and therefore she should be pleasant but because she isnt showing her gratitude he is angry. Furthermore the nine-hundred-old name presents the Duke to be a man of prestige and he is proud of this name. He is stating to the listener that he is preceding(prenominal) her and he is annoyed that his gift is being compargond to anyone elses gift, which is frankly not on the same level as his. Where as she moldms to be grateful for anything due to, she ranks anybody gift with his. The word anybody suggests that it is anyone, with any class or social order.The Duke presents his wife to be easily affect and doesnt have that much intelligence. Overall he wants her to idolise him and only him but she is presented to be looking for other things by being promiscuous. The relationship in Our Love Now is also presented to be separate. To begin with there is a visual separation in the presentation of the poem. On one placement there is the l said where as on the opposite side there is the she said and because Hess great deal have two different views on their relationship it puts emphasis on this from the very start.There is also separation in the content of the stanzas but there is still the same theme. He uses initial rhyme in the contend slowly knits. Knitting is an action that requires s eradicate and patience, this shows that he thinks this will happen to their relationship over time. On the opposite side she says There is always a scar, a permanent reminder A scar is slimed it is an impurity and it ruins something that was once perfect. This gives a negative relish she believes that the relationship will no anger be the same as it once was.On the second stanza he a pass on uses a metaphor for their relationship, this metaphor is the red burn down flesh is ugly the word burnt connotes with pain, which they are both suffering by. Although he has been positive in the previous stanza he begins to become more down-to-earth by apothegm it croupe be hidden this means he has declare the burn but now he wants to avoid it and be faithful round it until (overtime) it has healed. She then replies with the skin frame bleached this is an even worse popular opinion of the relationship.The word bleached connotes with the skin unnatural and washed out the pigment of the skin echoed when she goes on to say and a numbness prevails. This presents a metaphor for her feelings, she no longer feels anything. However the word prevails suggests that this is superior to other feelings, as if she has tried to fight this feeling but the feeling of nothingness has conquered. Overall this shows they are both very separate in their feelings and sensations, he still believes their relationship can heal whereas she believes it wont be the same as it once was.My last duchessMy Last Duchess Question Write about a poem fare well In the past, but which stiff relevant today. Explain why, condescen sion the difference In time, the mall concerns of the poem remains relevant to you. A poem which is set well in the past but remains relevant in todays lodge is My Last Duchess by Robert cook. The poem remains relevant today as even nowadays there are great deal who possess similar pillow slipistics as the Duke the abusive use of power in some societies is still relevant in some communities.Despite the obvious change in time and society, there are still people who are egotistical and controlling unman nature remains unreduced even with time. Before the poem even begins we are immediately smitten by the ambiguity of the title itself. We are left to wonder how legion(predicate) duchesses has the duke had, who Is his last duchess nor do we acknowledge If the last Indicates the last duchess or only when the previous one. The poem begins by the duke leading an emissary rough his castle, acting as a tour.He begins by reminiscing about the painting of his last duchess and the r eferee comes to realize the Dukes cold character as he describes the painting as the depth and passion of TTS earnest glance. He refers to the girl as its instead of her, indicating she is of little worth to him. This dehumidifies her and win suggests the duke has developed a ameliorate relationship with the painting than the he had with the woman It represents.We also come to visualize here that the duke is possessive and demands to be obeyed since none puts by the curtain I have drawn for you, but l he chooses who does or does not cope with the duchess- something he could not achieve when she was alive. This shows the overwhelming control that the duke has over the ouches even after death- he cuts even her portrait off from what she love life. The woman has neatenly died time ago but the possessive duke still requires control over her, suggesting a threatening and controlling relationship which can sadly sully be seen in todays society to confirm this trouble suggestion.Late r in the Poem the Duke describes his wifes imperfections and we are introduced to his egotism, which reined her in. We are told by the duke that twats not Her husbands forepart only, called that spot Of Joy into the Duchess cheek twats not Her husbands presence only, called that spot twats not Of Joy Into the Duchess cheek twats not her husbands presence only, called that spot of Joy into the Duchess. The duke is explaining to the minister plenipotentiary that he was not the source of her happiness which suggests he is representing the fact she gained pastime from other things in life besides the duke.His egotism and extreme self-obsession are highlighted here, painting a feeling of a man who is very dominating. besides the dukes dramatic monologue indicates that the duchess was subjugated when she was with him and unable to express her own opinions and feelings. The spot of Joy in the duchess emphasizes the duchesss impartial character, innocent, youthful zest for, Joy in, li fe. It is as if his power has make him evolve into becoming a very unpleased and tyrannize husband. In contrast to him, the duchess has a respectful and vibrant character which is further emphasized when the duke says such stuff was courtesy, she thought.His tone is viciously contemptuous- as if he is hissing, indicated by the alliteration of the s. The dukes scornful and cold tone is portrayed as he sneers she thought, this underlines how much antipathy he had for the duchesss view, indicating how disturbing their relationship had become. The duke expands on his wifes faults. He disapproves of how she was too easily impressed by the beauties of nature according to his unappreciative nature. Like all insulting people, the duke describes the duchess to the reader as being fascinated without much effort, she had/ a boldness- how shall I say? Too soon made glad, oo easily impressed This clarifies his detailed attitude towards the duchess she can be made happy by bare(a) things whi ch he could never understand. The young womans faults were qualities like compassion, modesty, humility, delight in simple pleasures, and courtesy to those who served her. These lines have a natural, realistic, spontaneous feel created by Borrowings use of disyllabic rhyming couplets which give the impression of pauses before computer address, suggesting he pauses for thought, as if talking directly to us.This adds to the feeling of offense as it brings us close at hand(predicate) to the duke, an evil and twisted character who attempts to persuade the reader. This creates to a closeness and niggardliness which the reader finds sinister. Even today we can see societies having divided opinions on the attributes on certain global leaders. The dukes objections about the duchess further continued as he complains she was too easily impressed she liked whatever she looked on and her looks went everywhere.Here the Duke blames her for not seeing any difference between being the wife of a great man or any other simple pleasure. He believes she gave all men the kind of respect that only a man with his familys rank deserves. We are struck by horror as we come to realize the youth of the duchess herself as the duke explains her behavior around the castle as she broke in the orchard for her, the white scuff she rode This indicates how young she is- full of life and warm hearted, Just like a manager. He could not tolerate the fact the duchess delighted in violator and appreciated gifts from others.He devolves that she considered his favor at her breast no more important than the context of use of the sun or cherries compared to the dukes gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name. This reveals the dukes arrogance about his title and assign. He talks about his title and cl advance(prenominal) feels his position should had been given more respect from his wife. He calls his name his gift which suggests he clear to the reader that his name has been given grudgingly. The word stoop emphasizes this idea as it denotes how high up the duke thinks he is.This kind of attitude and air of arrogance would simply not be accepted in todays society due to people having being less discriminative. The dukes appalling lack of remorse and human emotion is bought to the reader when he causally describes the duchesss death. The almost inhumane coldness of his character is made clear as he states Much the same make a face? This grew I gave commands then all smiles stopped together Three very mindless, sharp, decisive clauses which subtly imply the girls slaying. A quick and decisive exploit this Soother.He simply decides and the deed is done, this again shows his abuse of power, lack of empathy and humanity as murder is the ultimate form of control. If this behavior was not shocking enough, the duke further spits out about the duchess There she stands as if alive. Wills please you rise? Well join forces the company below, then Coming Just after the previous lines, the manner of speaking there she stands as if alive strongly suggests the girl has been murdered. After this there is a shocking Juxtaposition in that he was Just talking about murder before suddenly suggesting they merely re-join the other company.He has no conscience. again we find a harsh link to todays society and the dukes era as there are people who will go to unbelievable lengths to gain their control, ignoring or out ruling their conscience sometimes with tragic consequences. In conclusion, it is clear that there are many dominant personalities in society today and the duke was one of these men. He has an exaggerated sense of his own position and importance, perhaps because of his hurrying class upbringing and family background. But this ultimately led to the cold heartless murder of his last duchess.My last duchessThis story of a man who has, out of Jealousy and insecurity, disposed of his wife, most likely by murder, is chillingly told by Browning through the voice of the murderer himself In a dramatic monologue. Throughout, Browning turns the speakers words against himself the apparently all-powerful narrator loses control of his narrative, Just as he lost control of his wife, and must kill his story In order to continue In his plans to gain another wife. Browning sets this story In Renaissance Italy, specifically in Ferrara, which is named in the poems subtitle.The specific time-period is not named, but the names of the artists mentioned in the poem recall famous painters such as Fra Angelico and Fra Lippo Lippi, who lived in the quattro and cinquecento in Italy. This period is far-famed not only for the flourishing of artistic talent and the production of beautiful works of art (often of surprising verisimilitude) but also for violence, intrigue and murder indeed, Ferrara itself, seat of the dEste family, was a byword for fabulous displays of artistic and architectural hold alongside appalling brutality.These ideas embody the violence and mater ialism at the heart of the story, and which, It Is hinted, motivated the Dukes murder of his last Duchess. The Immediate setting for the story is an upper chamber In the ducal palace, away from the company below, and Browning uses this as a means of making his narrator a more Intlmldatlng character, commensurate of dominating the Isolated and socially Inferior audience (the Count is, we are told our master). The use of a setting which amplifies the Dukes power is a key setting of Brownings narrative method here, in that the ower belies the weakness and insecurity which cause the Duchess death.The final image of Neptune, taming a sea-horse, ought to be a final flourish for the Duke in his theatrical show for the listening envoy, yet this detail of the setting is typic of Brownings irony at work throughout the poem whereas the Duke sees the rarity as a sign of his wealth and good taste, and also as a representation of his ability to tame a wild animal, he does not see the irony in him taming a creature as tiny and nontoxic as a sea-horse.Browning begins his story with the Duke presenting a icture of his last Duchess to an envoy, In a bld to impinge on upon him his power and good taste, and ultimately, to ensure winning the Counts daughters hand In marriage.Even in the first line, though, the Dukes choice of language undermines himself his confident statement of Thats my last Duchess painted on the wall ought to establish a domineering voice (and, to an extent, it does, developed through relentlessly rhyming couplets), but the undertones of the word last appear to escape him he ought, perhaps, to have said late, but this word establishes his materialism nd shoal ostentatiousness, which cause the reader to mistrust his version of events.In the subsequent discussion of the picture Browning sets up the scene and many of the central questions of the story. The Dukes apparently offtand mentioning of the artists name sits uneasily with his need for control over the curtain (which none puts by but l) establishes the contradictions Inherent in the narrative voice.The subsequent account of what the Duke Imagines Fra Pandolf saying to his Duchess Introduces the question over the Duchess informal fidelity which will feature trongly afterward in the story, when the Duke mentions the spot of joy which was not only called up Dy ner nusDan0s presence. Browning tells tne story 0T tne Duke ana Duchess marriage, and of the incidents which led to her death, in a loose, apparently uncrystallized series of allegations made by the Duke about her smile, which Went everywhere, and her heart, which was too soon made glad. Tellingly, the reader finds it hard to sympathise with the narrators evident indignation, expressed in the gush Sir, twas all one , when all that the Duchess stands accused of is loving the dropping of the solar day in the West and a bough of cherries to the Duke it seems that these are evidence of feminine weakness, if not existent infidelity, but the readers mistrust of the Duke invites them to see the images simply for what they are examples of natures unfettered beauty.It seems that Brownings figure here is to distance the audience from the narrator, so that we are inclined to view his actions more dispassionately and critically by doing this, Browning makes the Dukes final ccusation that of his wife undervaluing his nine-hundred-years-old-name seem ridiculous. The narration of the murder itself is preceded by a passage of speech which is in marked contrast to the controlled refinement of the narrators voice in the early stages of the monologue.His phrases become fragmented, broken by asides such as l know not how, and the repetition of stoop (or forms thereof) three times in is used by Browning as conveying the impression of frustration and even anger in the narrative voice. With each repetition, the narrators grip on the narrative weakens. Significantly, whereas the Duke relates the Duchess behavior e arlier as a series of apparently emblematic incidents, at this stage he resorts to generalising, asking Who passed without / Much the same smile?What ought to be the final, damning indictment of the Duchess infidelity, becomes instead, a damning indictment of the narrators selfish insecurity. Browning recounts the Duchess death (or, at least, disappearance) in a striking moment of only two lines, where the narrator appears to egain his control over his version of events. The series of short phrases, interspersed with semi-colons, has an air of grim finality, and it may appear that the narrator is smugly complacent with his actions. Certainly, given the claustrophobic setting of an upper chamber, isolated from the company below, the inclination seems clear.However, it is hard to see his character as being dignified and impressive, when he seems more impressed with the commands he gave, and the fact that it is smiles which stopped. Here, Browning exploits the ambiguity of the word s mile hich was created by the Duke itself where he appears to intend it to stand as a euphemism for sexual infidelity, it remains in its literal meaning an innocent and charming action, and it is in keeping with Brownings method throughout the poem to invite the reader to see it as such.Browning concludes the story on a chilling note, with the Dukes narration restitution the polished, icy control that characterised the early parts of the monologue. The return to the present separate out at Willt please you to rise reminds the reader that they are a character in this drama, and Browning uses his to make the Dukes attempt to gain a new wife all the more unsettling.The Dukes appeal, phrased in impossibly oblique and opaque terms, for a dowry, is certainly baffling, but Browning here hints at a sub-text which the Duke has thus far omitted from the story the Duke appears to need money. Whether or not he is in dire financial straits, the collocation of money and the fair daughters self m akes for a disturbing conclusion, appearing to sum up the Dukes brutal objectification of women, In wnlcn tney are sllencea