1. Read, understand and respond to texts. Students should be able to:
AO1 (37.5%)
Read, understand and respond to texts. Students should be able to:
maintain a critical style and develop an informed personal response
use textual references, including quotations, to support and illustrate interpretations.
AO2 (42.5%)
Analyse the language, form and structure used by a writer to create meanings and effects, using relevant subject terminology where appropriate.
AO3 (15%)
Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written.

2. Due in: Monday 20th February
Homework
Create a revision display for My Last Duchess:
Key structural features used
Key language features
Features of form
Imagery
Due in: Monday 20th February

3. Use this framework to write about a poem in an organised way.
Overview: ‘Generally’, ‘On the whole’, ‘Overall’ . (Make a summative comment about the poem: What is the overall meaning or message?)
Paragraph 1:One piece of evidence from the beginning of the poem with inferences – TEA
Paragraph 2: Two or three pieces of evidence from the middle of the poem with inferences - TEA
Paragraph 3: One piece of evidence from the end of the poem with inferences - TEA
Paragraph 4: Comment on the structure and form of the poem if you haven’t already.
Overview: ‘Generally’, ‘On the whole’, ‘Overall’ ‘There is a sense that’ or ‘The writer tries to...’ (Make a summative comment about the poem: What is the main point of view or message?) Make this overview different to your first.
NO VAGUE COMMENTS

4. Terminology
Evidence
Analyse

5. Robert Browning
Robert Browning ( ) was known for his dark humour in his poems.
Browning was interested in the repression of the Victorian era, and the true, darker side of human behaviour.
He is best known for his use of the dramatic monologue. My Last Duchess is an example of this and it also reflects Browning's love of history and European culture as the story is loosely based on the life of an Italian Duke from the sixteenth century – Alfonso II d’Este.
AO3
Show understanding of the relationships between texts and the contexts in which they were written.

6. THINK: What does this title suggest?
TASK: Write it in your book and annotate the connotations.
My Last Duchess
THINK: What does this title suggest?

7. Understanding ‘My Last Duchess’ L/O: To understand and interpret the poem.
What does the title of the poem suggest?
Share connotations to determine meaning behind title

8. How would you describe the Duke? (3 adjectives)
How would you describe the Duke? (3 adjectives)

9. Understanding ‘My Last Duchess’ L/O: To understand and interpret the poem.
What does the title of the poem suggest?
LITERARY TERMS
Dramatic Monologue – a poem in the form of a speech or narrative by an imagined person, in which the speaker inadvertently reveals aspects of their character while describing a particular situation or series of events.
Speaker – the ‘voice’ that is speaking in a poem written in the first person.

10. Questions AO1 AO2 Who is the Duke of Ferrara talking to in the poem?
Why is his guest visiting the Duke of Ferrara?
Who painted the picture of the Duke’s late wife?
The Duke was not entirely pleased with his late wife, the Last Duchess. Explain why and what he did about it.
What impression of the Last Duchess do you get from the poem?
Answer in books or as discussion
AO1
AO2

11. ‘My Last Duchess’ Loosely based on Duke Alfonso II of Ferrara.
Married Lucrezia de’Medici (she was 15).
She died 2 years later under suspicious circumstances...
The poem is set 3 years later (in 1564).
The Duke is speaking to an emissary from the Count of Tyrol (the father of the Duke’s new fiancé).
AO3

12. ‘My Last Duchess’ – Themes
Group the quotations from the poem under different themes. THINK and NOTE DOWN: What are the themes of the poem? How is the Duke presented?
Cut out and distribute quotations from resources sheet. Encourage students to group and regroup similar quotes to draw out different themes in the poem. Discussion – what sort of person is the Duke?

13. That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall, Looking as if she were alive. (1-2) Will’t please you sit and look on her? (5) none puts by The curtain I have drawn for you, but I (9-10) Sir, ‘twas not Her husband’s presence only, called that spot Of joy into the Duchess’ cheek (14-16) she ranked My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name With anybody’s gift (32-34)
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. (21-24)
Oh Sir, she smiled, no doubt,
Whene’er I passed her; but who passed without
Much the same smile? (43-45)
I gave commands;
Then all smiles stopped together. (45-46)
his fair daughter’s self, as I avowed
At starting, is my object. (52-53)

14. Write an overall summary
Robert Browning’s dramatic monologue, My Last Duchess, explores the ideas of…
What are the key details behind the story?
What elements of power and conflict are evident?
When is the poem set and why might this be significant?
What does the poem reveal to us?

15. Annotate the poem Annotate...
Form and Structure – how is it structured? Rhymes? Sentence length? Punctuation? Devices (enjambment, caesura, etc) – How do these link to or support idea of power/conflict?
Language – types of words used. Devices. The images these create. How do these link to or portray the idea of power/conflict?
Imagery – What images are created? What do they mean? What connotations do they hold? How do they suggest or link to power/ conflict?
Annotate...
Sections of the poem that show the Duke to be controlling.
Sections of the poem to do with art and appearance.
GLOSSARY (make a note of these)
‘mantle’ – a woman’s cloak
‘countenance’ – a face, appearance.
‘Fra Pandolf’ – a famous artist/painter – made up by Browning.
‘mule’ – a kind of donkey (crossed with a horse).
‘munificence’ – generosity.

16. The Duke is very possessive
Dramatic monologue
My Last Duchess
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 to sit and look at her? I said "Fra Pandolf" by design, for never read Strangers like you that pictured countenance, The depth and passion of its earnest glance, But to my self they turned (since none puts by The curtain I have drawn for you, but I) 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, 't was not Her husband's presence only, called that spot Of joy into the Duchess' cheek: perhaps
An imaginary artist, name dropping: everything has monetary value
He likes beautiful things
There is a reason for drawing the curtain, it’s so the person can see his prized possession

17. She was a modest person who got embarrassed by compliments
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 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, 't was all one! My favor at her breast, 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, 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
She was a modest person who got embarrassed by compliments
Her only crime was enjoying life and not respecting his rank/title
The Duke’s jealousy; he starts to reveal more than he planned
Contrast: genuine romance or a posh title, he expects her to value the latter more
His only pride is in his wealthy family name

18. With anybody's gift. Who'd stoop to blame This sort of trifling
With anybody's gift. Who'd stoop to blame This sort of trifling? Even had you skill 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 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? This grew; I gave commands; 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,
He accidentally reveals more of his weaknesses
What kind of man expects his wife to be rude like this?
He is getting jealous over her being kind
HE KILLED HER?
Makes monologue feel like conversation

19. He is talking to an emissary of his future wife’s father
The Count your master's known munificence Is ample warrant that no just pretence 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, Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!
Robert Browning ( )
Money for marrying his daughter
He returns to material things; all his money and power will never buy him love though
And a beautiful wife to boot
The Duke doesn’t realise how much of himself he has given away in his criticism of his former wife
young woman's "faults" were qualities like compassion, modesty, humility, delight in simple pleasures, and courtesy to those who served her.

20. The Duke gives away his attitude towards his wife with each comment he makes. Match up the words that describe his attitude with the appropriate quotation and meaning in the table.
Duke’s attitude
Quotation
Meaning
Proud
‘That’s my last duchess painted on the wall’
I am the owner of the portrait and the person who controls when it is viewed.
Controlling
‘since none puts by/The curtain I have drawn for you, but I’
She belongs to me, and her fate could be considered a warning to other women who don’t give me total respect.
Disdainful
‘She thanked men,-good!’
It is appropriate to be polite, but certainly not to treat all people equally.
Refuses to explain himself or compromise
‘E’en then would be some stooping; and I choose/Never to stoop.’
It is beneath me to explain myself or ask others to change their ways. They should already know how to behave.
Authoritarian and rather frightening
‘I gave commands; /Then all smiles stopped together.’
I have supreme control and my orders are carried out. I do not need to undertake any unpleasant task – I have servants to do that for me.

21. Form and Structure L/O: To be able to relate the speaker’s personality to the form of the poem.
His voice is…
At length
He sounds…
How does the Duke speak?
(use your imagination to flesh out the character)
Create a list of characteristics.
He talks about…

22. Metre in ‘My Last Duchess’
‘That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall’
How many syllables?
What is the metre?
KEY WORDS:
metre – The rhythmic pattern or structure of a line.
iamb – A metrical ‘foot’ that consists of two syllables, one unstressed, one stressed (da-DUM).
iambic Pentameter – A line of 5 iambs
(da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM).
Discuss the effect of iambic pentameter – Used by Shakespeare, very common in English poetry. Reflects natural rhythm of speech (possible heartbeat). Calm, regular rhythm.

23. Aspects of structure and rhythm
Explain the effect of each of the features of structure and rhythm in ‘My Last Duchess.’
It’s long
Iambic pentameter
Frequent caesurae
Varied punctuation
Rhyming couplets
Dramatic monologue

24. How does the poem’s form and structure reflect the Duke’s state of mind?

25. How is the Duke’s relationship with the Duchess presented in the poem?
Literary Terminology
Possessive pronoun (‘my’)
Rhetorical Question
Patronising/superior tone
Write two detailed paragraphs.
Analyse the language of the poem in depth.
Use several quotations.
Focus in on specific words/phrases.
Use literary terminology (technical language).
CONNECTIVES
Add more information:
Moreover,
Furthermore,
In addition,
Compare:
Conversely,
On the other hand,
Similarly,
However,

26. Robert Browning – My Last Duchess
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 “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) 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
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.

27. Sir, ’twas all one! My favour at her breast, 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, 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 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 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? This grew; I gave commands;
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 pretense
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,
Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!

28. Form and Structure
This is one of Browning's best known dramatic monologues.
The poem is written in iambic pentameter and in rhyming couplets.
This is one long speech, pretending to be a conversation. It is divided up into rhyming couplets but to mimic unrehearsed speech there are lots of twists and turns within the lines, shown by a variety of punctuation (colons and lots of dashes as well as the usual commas and full stops).

29. Go a step further and give a personal response
Have a go at answering these questions to help you come up with your own ideas about the poem:
Q1. Why do we learn about the Duke’s actions from his own mouth?
Q2. Why does the poem end with the Duke describing another piece of art?
Q3.
Effects of conflict, reality of war ...
‘Poppies’, ‘Remains’ and ‘War Photographer’ are all good poems to look at alongside this one if
you’re thinking about the effects of conflict. ‘Bayonet Charge’ and ‘Exposure’ work well for
the reality of war.
KEY
THEMES

30. Poem 1:
Poem 2:
AO3