Learning episode 2: to know what influenced the writing of ‘My Last Duchess’ by Robert Browning

A Duke is a the member of nobility that ranks just below the monarch A Duke is a the member of nobility that ranks just below the monarch. A duke is a ruler of a ‘duchy’ (county, territory or domain). It’s tradition for men of the royal family to get a new title when they marry – often taking on duke status. For example, Prince William became the Duke of Cambridge when he married Kate Middleton. Kate became the Duchess of Cambridge because of his change in name. To become a duke of a particular duchy, the title must be available – which happens when the last person who held the title died without legitimate heirs to take the title for themselves. Do it now Key question: what can we infer from the title of the poem ‘My Last Duchess’?

What impression is created of the Duchess in this poem? Spot of joy into the Duchess’ cheek all and each would draw from her alike the approving speech, or blush, at least She had a heart She thanked men she liked whate’er she looked on The depth and passion of her earnest glance the white mule she rode with round the terrace her looks went everywhere What impression is created of the Duchess in this poem?

Robert Browning Robert Browning was born in 1812 and died in 1889. He was an English poet who is famous for writing poems in the dramatic monologue form. Born in Surrey, Browning’s father was a well-paid administrator at the Bank of England and his grandfather was a wealthy slave owner in the West Indies. His father was an avid collector of books who encouraged his children to pursue the arts. His mother was a devout non-conformist. By the age of 12, Browning had written his first collection of poems. He studied Greek at University College, London. He devoted his life to writing poetry, remaining at home with his parents until he was 34, when he married the poet Elizabeth Barrett. New knowledge

My Last Duchess The poem ‘My Last Duchess’ is spoken by the character of the Duke. He tells us he is entertaining an emissary who has come to negotiate the Duke’s marriage (he has recently been widowed) to the daughter of a powerful family. As he shows his visitor through his palace, he stops before a portrait of the late Duchess, apparently a young and lovely girl. The Duke begins reminiscing about the portrait sessions, then about the Duchess herself. While the Duke describes his first wife, the reader begins to suspect that something dreadful may have happened to her. In this learning episode, we are going to consider what might have influenced Robert Browning to write this poem. New knowledge

Possible influence number 1: Duke Alfonso II The poem is based on real characters from history. The speaker is Duke Alfonso II who ruled northern Italy, Ferrara, from 1559-97. His title was the Duke of Ferrara. New knowledge The Duke’s first wife was Lucrezia de Medici. She was fifteen years old when she married him, and she died two years later in 1561. There were suspicions that she had been poisoned.

Possible influence number 1: Duke Alfonso II Lucrezia was a Medici – part of a family that was becoming one of the most powerful and wealthy in Europe at the time. During Lucrezia’s lifetime, however, the Medici were just beginning to build their power base and were still considered upstarts by the other nobility. Lucrezia herself never got to enjoy riches and status. Lucrezia’s family loved art, and her father founded one of Italy’s best art collections, the Uffizi. Her oldest sister Maria was engaged to Ferrara, but she died in 1557, meaning that Cosimo de Medici’s attempts to unite the Este family and the Medici family fell to Lucrezia. Her other older sister was murdered by her jealous husband. New knowledge

Possible influence number 1: Duke Alfonso II Browning read about Ferrara when researching another poem called Sordello. In 1842, the year that the poem was written, Browning reviewed a book called Conjectures and Researches concerning the Love Madness and Imprisonment in Turquato Tasso by Richard Henry Wilde – a book about love and madness in Italy. New knowledge

Possible influence number 2: Victorian society Browning, of the Victorian age, wrote real life poetry that reflected upon some of the darkest aspects of Victorian life. His poetry was often considered ‘a revolt’ against some of the most-well defined aspects of the time. Social hierarchies – power and money in the Victorian Era still resided mainly with people of nobility. Despite making up only 1 percent of the population, they controlled most of the land and most of the money. Home life as ‘private’ – family life became compartmentalised, the home a self- contained structure. The concept of ‘privacy’ because a hallmark of the middle- class life. Religious beliefs – religious beliefs and importance were put on trial during the Victorian Era. This was because of an advance in human knowledge. The Industrial Revolution opened up man’s ability to exploit nature for his own gain, while new opportunities for education created new readers and thinkers, and new scientific discoveries – primarily Darwin’s theory of evolution. These advancements created an age of doubt. Browning explored this, questioning the value of a life without faith whilst also celebrating the possibilities of a man less tied to God. Patriarchal society – during the Victorian Era, society was patriarchal, reserving power and privilege for men. Wives were poorly treated by their husbands - viewed as disposable, and their husbands would often accuse them to do away with them when they desired to marry someone else. New knowledge

Possible influence number 3: Elizabeth Browning’s father Just as the Duchess suffered from the tyranny of her proud and arrogant husband, so did Elizabeth Barret Browning, poet’s wife suffer from her tyranny of her cruel father. Possible influence number 3: Elizabeth Browning’s father Elizabeth Barret’s father was an unforgiving tyrant (Published on 7 November 1964) New knowledge

My Last Duchess New knowledge

Elizabeth Browning’s father Quotation sort: Influence number 1: Duke Alfonso Influence number 2: Victorian society Influence number 3: Elizabeth Browning’s father Re-read the poem. Consider the language used. Can you identify any quotations in the poem that connect to the background influences? Are there any quotations that might link to what we know about Duke Alfonso? Are there any quotations that might link to what we know about Victorian society? Are there any quotations that might link to what we know about Elizbeth Browning’s father? Pen to paper

Elizabeth Browning’s father Quotation sort Influence number 1: Duke Alfonso Influence number 2: Victorian society Influence number 3: Elizabeth Browning’s father Faint half-flush that dies along her throat. Sir, ‘twas all one! My favour at her breast. The white mule / she rode with round the terrace My gift of a nine-hundred-years old name. Who’d stoop to blame To make your will / quite clear to such an one and say E’en then wold be some stooping; and I choose / never to stoop Although his fair daughter’s self, as I avowed / At starting, is my object Fra Pandolf / Claus of Innsbruck Painted on the wall Will’t please you sit and look at her? I said The curtain I have drawn for you. Too easily impressed; she liked whate’er / she looked on, and her looks went everywhere The bough of cherries some officious fool / broke in the orchard for her, And if she let herself be lessoned so Nor plainly set / her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse I gave commands Will’t please you rise? We’ll meet / The company below, then That’s my last Duchess Nor plainly set / her wits to yours, forsooth and made excuse Pen to paper

In this learning episode, we have explored three possible influences on the writing of the poem ‘My Last Duchess’. Can you choose one quotation that strongly suggests the poem is a. influenced by Duke Alfonso II b. influenced by Victorian society c. influenced by Elizabeth Browning’s father and explain your choice? Reflection