“My Last Duchess” is an excellent example of Browning’s use of dramatic monologue” (Marie Rose). Browning tests his new form in a long poem he [writes] called, “Pippa Passes” and also two shorter poems called, “Dramatic Lyrics” and “Dramatic Romances”. Generally, written in blank verse, dramatic monologue is the speech of just one person at the time something dramatic is happening. In the start up of his monologue, the speaker reveals what the situation is, as well as the setting of the situation and to whom he is speaking. Of greatest interest, however, is what he reveals about his own motives and personality. Often the speaker, while trying to justify himself to his listeners, actually reveals the faults of his character to the reader. In one of his works called "My Last Duchess,” the reader is given the pleasure of learning more about the speaker than he understands about himself. “Nevertheless, the techniques he [develops] through his dramatic monologues—especially his use of diction, rhythm, and symbol—are regarded as his most important contribution to poetry, influencing such major poets of the twentieth century as T. S. Eliot and Robert Frost” (Mary Ruby). It is implying …show more content…
The Duke is the speaker of the poem, and tells us he is entertaining an emissary who has come to negotiate the Duke’s marriage to the daughter of a wealthy family. The Duke is an arrogant man who chooses never to compromise, even for love. He [kills] his last duchess because she does not agree with him, and he does not intend to marry another woman who does not understand that he is strict and she must do all the busy work. Through his conversation with the emissary the readers gain the personality of the Duke. Pride represents in the poem by the Duke showing off his painting of his beautiful wife and also names the painter Era Pandolf. The Duke can open or close the curtain as he pleases. Which implies that he has complete control over everything in his