Robert Browning My Last Duchess

Outline of Module Some key themes: Porphyria’s Lover The Laboratory My Last Duchess Fra Lippo Lippi The Patriot The Pied Piper of Hamelin Some key themes: Morality Presentation and construction of character Art and beauty Presentation of women Religion Evil and violence Medieval and Renaissance settings

Robert Browning: The Context There were several key influences and motifs in Browning’s poetry. Read the contextual information. Think about how it may be related to his poetry. Think about key themes/ symbols/ motifs/ narrative modes to look out for. 10 minutes

My Last Duchess Predictions: Here are some key images. What could the poem be about? 3 minutes

My Last Duchess In this poem, Browning depicts the opinions of the Duke of Ferrara, a Renaissance noblemean, on his dead wife. The Duke is speaking to silent listener (who is the emissary, father of his new wife to be) explaining the painting of his late wife. It is implied that the Duke murdered his wife for her flirtatious and outgoing nature. The Duke is depicted as jealous, controlling and aggressive.

Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7Z3B6SRdZo&feature=related

Form: The Dramatic Monologue a poem or prose piece in which a character addresses an audience. Conventions of the Dramatic Monologue Extension: What are the advantages of having the narrative form of a dramatic monologue? What can it reveal?

Form: The Dramatic Monologue Auditor’s presence is only known through clues in the speaker’s discourse Must have a speaker and implied listener/auditor Monologue is made up of a single speech Conventions of the Dramatic Monologue Purpose is to reveal character in a way that interests and intrigues the reader Deals with a specific and critical moment Speaker sometimes adopts a case-making argumentative tone Extension: What are the advantages of having the narrative form of a dramatic monologue? What can it reveal?

What are the advantages? Insight into the psychology of the speaker It can shape attitude and sympathies of the reader as we only receive one point of view Reader can sometime interpret gap between what is said and what is actually revealed by the speaker Insight into ideologies and morality of speaker Author (Browning) is able to distance himself from key issues by using a character to deal with themes of violence, morality, sex and power. The author can explore controversial themes and invite the reader to consider them

Group Work Lines 1 – 15 – Lines 16 – 29 – Lines 30 – 43 – Lines 44 – end – Step 1: Read through the poem again as a group – make sure you know what is literally happening. Step 2: Read your specific lines carefully. What are the key moments/ themes/ events /ideas/techniques etc? Step 3: Use your questions to annotate and discuss You have 20 minutes to prepare Everyone must have an annotated poem Each person should take one point to explain to the class Answer each of the questions through discussion and annotation

Presentation My Last Duchess (1842) Ferrara 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. Will’t please you sit and look at her? I said 5 “Fra Pandolf” by design, for never read Strangers like you that pictured countenance, The depth and passion of its earnest glance, But to myself they turned (since none puts by The curtain I have drawn for you, but I) 10 And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst, How such a glance came there; so, not the first Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, ’twas not Her husband’s presence only, called that spot Of joy into the Duchess’ cheek: perhaps

Fra Pandolf chanced to say “Her mantle laps Over my lady’s wrist too much,” or “Paint Must never hope to reproduce the faint Half-flush that dies along her throat”: such stuff Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough 20 For calling up that spot of joy. 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. Sir, ’twas all one! My favour at her breast, 25 The dropping of the daylight in the West, The bough of cherries some officious fool Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule She rode with round the terrace—all and each

Would draw from her alike the approving speech, 30 Or blush, at least Would draw from her alike the approving speech, 30 Or blush, at least. She thanked men,—good! but thanked Somehow—I know not how—as if she ranked My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name With anybody’s gift. Who’d stoop to blame This sort of trifling? Even had you skill 35 In speech—(which I have not)—to make your will Quite clear to such an one, and say, “Just this Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss, Or there exceed the mark”—and if she let Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set 40 Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse, —E’en then would be some stooping; and I choose Never to stoop. Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt,

Whene’er I passed her; but who passed without Much the same smile Whene’er I passed her; but who passed without Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; 45 Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands As if alive. Will’t please you rise? We’ll meet The company below, then. I repeat, The Count your master’s known munificence Is ample warrant that no just pretence 50 Of mine for dowry will be disallowed; Though his fair daughter’s self, as I avowed At starting, is my object. Nay, we’ll go Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though, Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity, 55 Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!

How is the speaker presented? Positive Negative The Duke 5 minutes! Think of as many adjectives as possible. Both positive and negative.

Essay Question ‘The disturbing behaviour of the Duke of Ferrara makes it impossible for readers to sympathise with him’ How far do you agree with this view?

Let’s Read the Model

Do you agree or disagree? Reader may fall under narrator’s spell monologue form and how this can shape attitude and reader response Victorian reader’s may have supported the action of the Duke in a patriarchal world Narrator is controlling narrative and is biased; can he inspire sympathy? Agree: Psychopathic behaviour of speaker Appalling treatment of women Duke’s Arrogance Other: Unpick the words ‘impossible’, ‘sympathise’ and ‘disturbing’ – challenge them Browning not giving away what he thinks

Homelearning To read the context information on Browning To complete the essay on ‘My Last Duchess’