All throughout history, men are considered the powerful, the superior one, and especially those that are in control. In fact, many countries have been ruled by kings for many years and even today the expected person who carries out the duties to keep a household together is a man. One would never question the strength of a man especially if he rules the country or a kingdom. However, being the person in command comes with a number of choices that needs to be made. In certain circumstances, these decisions are rather unreasonable and mostly for self-gain. For example, Alfonso II (Duke of Ferrara) in “My Last Duchess” currently seeks a new rich wife, one with a large enough sum of dowry in which he will benefit the most. However, he fails to
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In fact, both the characters are of high social standing. The narrator of “My Last Duchess” is a “Duke of Ferrara in Italy.” (Browning 667). While “Ulysses” is a king of Ithaca that is “always roaming with a hungry heart,” meaning he enjoys traveling all over the world (Tennyson 12). In addition, these figures are also considered overbearing in many ways. For example, Duke Alfonso II expects his wife to only look at him when he realizes that she “liked whate’er/ she looked on” meaning that she finds importance and reacts to everything that occurs around her (Browning 23-24). However, he doesn’t want her to notice just any other human or living being but himself. He also states, that she is too friendly with everyone that surrounds her as she is “too soon made glad” or “too easily impressed” (22-23). As for King Ulysses, he values the family he has but not enough for them to be comparable to his adventures. He states that “an idle king” will gain nothing from sitting at home all day with his “aged” wife (Tennyson 1 and 3). He believes that “he is part of all that he has met” (18) meaning that he has this sense of belonging with all the places that he has visited. Lastly, they are selfish in many ways anyone could possibly imagine as throughout the poems they only think of themselves. For example, Duke …show more content…
These two characters are not the greatest example as to what a good leader should be, but they do present a good example of what to avoid when one is in power. Personal gain is something that both these leaders focused on. In King Ulysses’ case, factors such as old age only contributed greater to his greed, but it is understandable because there are only so many things you can do in your lifetime that if you are limited then it makes you want to do it more. While Duke of Ferrara, tries in many ways to be important in his wife’s life, but didn’t get the results he wanted. As a person who is probably used to always having his way
In fact, both the characters are of high social standing. The narrator of “My Last Duchess” is a “Duke of Ferrara in Italy.” (Browning 667). While “Ulysses” is a king of Ithaca that is “always roaming with a hungry heart,” meaning he enjoys traveling all over the world (Tennyson 12). In addition, these figures are also considered overbearing in many ways. For example, Duke Alfonso II expects his wife to only look at him when he realizes that she “liked whate’er/ she looked on” meaning that she finds importance and reacts to everything that occurs around her (Browning 23-24). However, he doesn’t want her to notice just any other human or living being but himself. He also states, that she is too friendly with everyone that surrounds her as she is “too soon made glad” or “too easily impressed” (22-23). As for King Ulysses, he values the family he has but not enough for them to be comparable to his adventures. He states that “an idle king” will gain nothing from sitting at home all day with his “aged” wife (Tennyson 1 and 3). He believes that “he is part of all that he has met” (18) meaning that he has this sense of belonging with all the places that he has visited. Lastly, they are selfish in many ways anyone could possibly imagine as throughout the poems they only think of themselves. For example, Duke …show more content…
These two characters are not the greatest example as to what a good leader should be, but they do present a good example of what to avoid when one is in power. Personal gain is something that both these leaders focused on. In King Ulysses’ case, factors such as old age only contributed greater to his greed, but it is understandable because there are only so many things you can do in your lifetime that if you are limited then it makes you want to do it more. While Duke of Ferrara, tries in many ways to be important in his wife’s life, but didn’t get the results he wanted. As a person who is probably used to always having his way