Write about the ways Browning tells the story in ‘My Last Duchess’
English Practice Question 21 Marks
Sir - I apologise greatly, this is a terrible attempt at the question, but when I started it (10/03/14) I used all my notes but just didn't remember/understand how to write this style of question. I have had an attempt but shall try to re do it after feedback (or another question in this style) as even though i don't know how to do it, I know that this is either wrong or very rubbish.
Browning tells the story of ‘My Last Duchess’ (MLD) with his way of opening the poem; “That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall”. The use of the word ‘my’ could sound possessive, causing it to sound as though he saw her in a materialistic way, that he owned her. The phrasing of ‘last Duchess’ emphasises this interpretation, as by saying ‘last’ it sounds as though the Duke plans on having another, again making the Duchess/women in this poem sound like objects. Browning also uses voice to tell the story. As shown in the opening, the poem is read/spoken by the Duke, which leas readers to assume he is the main character, as even though for the duration of the poem his speech is purely about the Duchess, it can be seen as a poem about how she has influenced him. This adds to characterisation of the Duke, as he sounds as though he is attempting to grasp at control over the Duchess, but even from death she controls him. We as readers know it is from death due to the second line “looking as if she were alive”, which causes us to assume that she is dead, but that she still has control over him, as she ‘looks’ as though she is alive. This can be seen either as he feels as though she is still watching him, or that even in death she cannot change the way she looks and appears. The form of the poem is used to tell the story too. MLD is a dramatic monologue, we as readers know it is a dramatic monologue because it is key to Browning’s poems that he always writes as characters, in this case the Duke, seen though use of the first person and talking about ‘my’ Duchess. MLD is also written in iambic pentameter, which when read sounds like a heart beat. There is also a lot of enjambement, which causes the poem to read very much as though it is thoughts spoken aloud. This all tells the story as it adds to characterisation of the Duke, which helps readers create their own interpretations of the text. The form aspects add to the characterisation of the Duke as by using enjambement and iambic pentameter, the poem reads as thoughts said aloud, and the enjambement also causes the Duke to sound very passionate about what he is saying, as it is as though he cannot stop the words from escaping him. This adds to the telling of the story as the Duke spends some time in the poem complaining about the Duchess, but claiming how it would be to “stoop” to tell her how she feels, so when later on in the poem he says “I gave commands, then smiles stopped altogether”, its lets readers make their own interpretation about how the Duchess died. The Duke has come across in the poem as possessive, materialistic and jealous, which makes it seem a likely possibility that he killed the Duchess - or had someone kill her.
Ellie. We need to fix your structure. Stick to those planning sheets.
ReplyDeleteRemember the activities from class. Always begin with a brief summary of the 'story' e.g. In My Last Duchess Robert Browning tells the story of a controlling, art obsessed Duke who whilst in the midst of arranging a marriage to his next wife recounts...' Doing this enable you to demonstrate an understanding of the 'story' as well as highlighting to the examiner what you are going to discuss. If you look at your opening sentences, a simple introduction like the one I have outlined above would then connect to your subsequent analysis.
Remember this is a dramatic monologue and NOT a poem so when discussing his speech (voice) connect this to form and mention his use of iambic pentameter (which mimics his controlling nature) as well as the implied auditor to whom he speaks.
When you discuss his attempts to control her even in death if you simply stick to the chronology of the tale you could use the reference to both 'looking' (as in she looked at men aka flirted) as well as the 'curtain' which he hides her behind.
You do eventually mention form BUT for me that should come first with Browning as that is KEY to everything. He addresses the implied auditor, he case builds (to justify his jealous/controlling actions towards his Duchess), he uses iambic pentameter and rhyming couplets. All other aspects of narrative stem from this form.
When you mention 'stoop' this must follow on from his case building (smiles, cherries, horse, sunset etc)
Try to also end on the end (if that makes sense). Finish on the taming of a Sea Horse and the envoy fleeing downstairs to warn his master. This will enable you to round off your answer nicely as it will show he is controlling (and potentially murderous), art obsessed as well as emphasising the dramatic nature of the monologue.