One of the greatest Victorian poets and masters of the dramatic monologue, Robert Browning was born in London on the seventh of May in 1812. His father was a clerk at the Bank of England and mostly educated Browning at home. He attended London University in 1828, but withdrew after his second term. After his first publication in 1833, Pauline: A Fragment of a Confession, he received little attention and only random criticism of his later works. It was not until 1869 when The Ring and the Book was published that he received recognition and began to build his reputation. Prior to his success, he married Elizabeth Browning against her father's wishes and stayed deeply devoted to her until her death in 1861. While married to Elizabeth, he lived in Florence, Italy, where he did some of his finest work. Nearly all of his companions and acquaintances considered him a sociable person and a gracious host, as he was well known for his dinner parties. Browning continued to publish volumes of poetry until his death on December the twelfth of 1889. Robert Browning is remembered for his mastery at capturing the essence and power of the dramatic monologue. Through symbolism, structure and technique, Browning creates the model of the ideal dramatic monologue in the poem, "My Last Duchess."
             "My Last Duchess" was published in 1845. "Ferrara" is the subtitle of the poem and assists in disclosing the design of the poem, a portrayal of Alfonso II, the fifth Duke of Ferrara. The historical life of Alfonso II fits intricately with the events and happenings within the poem. Alfonso II married Lucrezia de' Medici who is the daughter of the Duke of Florence. The Duke's family has a long credited name and wealth that had been around for ages. The affluence and power of the duchess's family had been newly acquired, and when comparing the two families, the Duke's was much more significant, at least in his eyes. The D...