My Last Duchess - An Analysis

A brief analysis of My Last Duchess by Robert Browning.

In the poem the story is largely told through characterization and point of view. Browning has used an interesting combination of the two in which they both greatly influence the other.

The narrator throughout the poem is a wealthy Duke. We know this from the title and his wealth is insinuated throughout the poem. By using repetition of the name (line 46)  to name drop he lets the reader know the individual is an impressive connection. This name dropping also tells the reader that the character is arrogant. 

The poem the Duke recalling memories of his last duchess to a messenger belonging to the family of his future wife. In this description the characterization and point of view greatly feed of of one another. This is because the characterization creates his point of view; this therefore gives the reader an impression of his last Duchess from his perspective.

Browning has also used metaphors to represent the story. (line 54) 'Notice Neptune though, taming a sea horse, thought a rarity' referring to a bronze statue that has been made for him. This is a metaphor for the relationship between him and his wife. He thinks of himself as Neptune, powerful and his wife as the sea horse small but feisty and difficult to control. Browning has structured it by placing this near the very end of the poem, means it acts as summary for the stories he has just told about his wife. It also gives perspective into what he thinks of his Last Duchess; it suggests that he views her as less significant than him.