Pride and Ego
"That's my last Duchess painted on the wall/Looking as if she were alive. I call/That piece a wonder, now: Fra Pandolf's hands/Worked busily a day, and there she stands." In the first four lines of Robert Browning's beautifully written poetic monologue, The Last Duchess, the reader is introduced to the Duke's haughty and nonchalant attitude toward his deceased first wife. This outlook is carried through the entire piece, as I observe his obvious admiration of his beloved portrait and his eventual disclosure that his Duchess did not die of natural causes. The Duke alludes to the fact that he ordered the murder of his wife simply because his enormous ego was affronted. His obvious need for her undivided attention and complete control over her every move provoked him to have this deed carried out. One can almost hear the Duke's true feelings of indignance, as he describes the Duchess to his guest. "Sir, 'twas not/Her husband's presence only, called that spot/Of joy into the Duchess' cheek:..." Her countenance and demeanor illustrated a true love of life, as it seems to have affected the way she treated those she encountered. It is as if she looked upon everyone as equal in stature, with no regard to sta
Heaven forbid a gift from someone other than the might Duke would bring the Duchess joy and happiness. "I repeat,The Count your master's known munificenceIs ample warrant that no just pretenseOf mine for dowry will be disallowed;Though his fair daughter's self, as I avowedAt starting, is my object. "She had/A heart - how shall I say? - too soon made glad,/Too easily impressed; she liked whate'er/She looked on, and her looks went everywhere. Since he is the Duke of Ferrara and a prominent figure in society, he expects to be shown complete reverence and be the center of attention. "Not only does he want his next wife's rather large dowry, he will undoubtedly want her to be the perfect wife. Regrettably for her, this included the Duke, whose idea of respect is to be placed above all else and treated reverentially. He now determines when and if anyone is allowed to see her, as he keeps her image behind a curtain for his pleasure only. Works CitedBrowning, Robert. He says, "E'en then would be some stooping; and I choose/Never to stoop. " Since it is unthinkable that he would contend with her regarding her behavior, his only recourse is to arrange for her murder. Although her behavior distresses him, he refuses to confront her, as that would be admitting that she is an equal companion, not subservient chattel.
Common topics in this essay:
Duke Ferrara,
Robert Browning's,
Duchess Count,
That's Duchess,
Fra Pandolf's,
Bedford/St Martin's,
complete control,
count servant,
enormous ego,
gift duke,
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