“My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning Essay

Robert brown sets the tone of My Last Duchess, by utilize three significant poetic techniques, one of which is understandry. Browning aims the Dukes soliloquy to sketch out images in the subscribers caput of the Duchess herself, and the sullen personality of the Duke. Browning in any case uses another key device, which is diction to expound the darkness in this poem. Brownings careful give voice prize adds to the description of the Duchess and perhaps her disgraceful behavior, as well as the Dukes terrifying jealousy, and expectations. Finally, Browning also uses attributeizationism, which is instrumental in showing the Dukes jealousy, which possibly could have led to the Duchess demise. Robert Browning is able-bodied to achieve a haunting, mysterious, and eerie tone in My Last Duchess, by using imagery, accurate diction, and symbolism.The imagery in My Last Duchess, conveys a clear picture in the readers mind of not solitary(prenominal) of the Duchess, and her portra it, hardly also the darkness of the Dukes life. The Duke begins his soliloquy by saying, Thats my last duchess multi-colored on the wall, / Looking as if she were alive, (1-2) already the reader is hit with the image of the late Duchess portrait. A mysterious tone lurks as the Duke speaks because the reader at one time wonders how the Duchess died. As the Duke continues with his speech, he vividly paints a picture of the Duchess. The Duke recounts how the painter, Fra Pandolf compliments her graceful skin by saying, Paint / Must never hope to procreate the faint /Half-flush that dies along her throat (17-19).As the Duchess blushes at Pandolfs kindness, the Dukes jealousy is building up. As the Duke and his guest make their way under to meet the rest of the company, the Duke says, Notice Neptune, though / Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity (54-55). The image of Neptune as he tames the sea horse is a perfect example of the Dukes temperamental, and maneuverling personality. Thi s image reflects his domineering disposition, which adds to the haunting, eerie tone.An eerie and mysterious tone is further enhanced by Brownings use of diction. Brownings particular word choice in this dramatic monologue steers the reader to believe that over time the Duchess sexy nature becomes more difficult for the Duke to handle. As he says to the emissary, Sir, twas not / Her keep ups presence only, call that spot / Of joy into theDuchess cheek, (12-14) the Duke begins to explain how she is beguiled by anyone, and too easily impressed (24). In addition to universe overly impressed by pass ons from officious fools, (27) the Duke is especially upset as he says, she ranked / My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name / With anybodys gift. By marrying the Duchess the Duke gave her the gift of nobility, and she instantaneously holds a higher social rank. He feels that that gift alone should maintain her happiness, and commitment to him.The Dukes anger, and jealously have now e scalated, and the reader begins to question what his madness will carry him to do. Another meticulous selection of words Browning uses is, Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt, / Wheneer I passed her but who passed without / Much the same smile? This grew I gave commands / Then all smiles stop together. (43-46) The poem has now turned very mysterious, how was the Duchess executed, and who other than the Duke is responsible?Browning is able to make the Dukes controlling nature apparent through with(predicate) the use of symbolism. The Dukes need to be dominate and in control at all times is frightening. The portrait of the late Duchess is a symbol to show the Dukes dominance. The Duchess had slightly rebelled against the Duke, and he questions her fidelity when he says, She thanked men, wide But thanked / Somehow I know not how (31-32). The Duke was distraught that he was unable to control her innocent blushes, or friendly smiles at others. It ultimately came time for the Duke to take matters into is own hands, he then, gave commands, (45) and then all smiles stop together (46). The art is a symbol that he is now able to control her every glance and every smile. Not only does he now have complete control over her, his guests are only allowed to see her when he draws a curtain and permits them to. It is exceptionally haunting that the Duke is so obsessed with having the power to control someone.The imagery brought to the readers mind as the Duke is entertaining the emissary is chilling. Brownings comparison betwixt the Duke and Neptune increase the mysterious effect. As the Duke explains that he refuses to allow his next married woman to behave the way the late Duchess did, mystery sets in as it makes the reader question if he is capable of committing this crimeagain, and how the Duchess was brought to her demise. Brownings word choice also enhances the mystery and eeriness of the poem. By using diction, the Dukes controlling personality was described. Finally, B rowning uses the Duchess portrait as a symbolIn conclusion, Robert Browning achieved a haunting, mysterious, and eerie tone through the use of three poetic techniques.