Write the explanation of the poem entitled "My Last Duchess".

Write the explanation of the poem entitled “My Last Duchess”.

Ans.

EXPLANATIONS

1. That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall,

Looking as if she were alive, I call

That piece a wonder, now: Era Pandolf’s hands

Worked busily a day, and there she stands.

Will’t please you sit and look at her?

Explanation with Reference to the Context- These lines are from Robert Browning’s poem entitled ‘My Last Duchess‘. The poem is a dramatic monologue. The scene of the meeting between the Duke and the courts envoy is a drawing room of the Duke. The Duke who is a widower is negotiating marriage with a court’s daughter. The Duke’s previous wife is dead. The court’s envoy visit the Duke with a fresh proposal of marriage. The Duke takes him to his art gallery where there is a portrait of the Duke’s previous wife. The Duke removes the curtain and shown him the portrait of his last Duchess. The Duke pointing towards the painting of the Duchess tells the court’s envoy that the picture looks as if the Duchess were still living. The Duke regards it a wonderful painting and thinks that it has been beautifully done by the painter Fra Pandolf. This painter worked throughout the day and after his day’s labour, the picture as painted on the wall was ready. The Duke cunningly reveals that he could not trust anybody to paint the picture except a monk. Fra Pandolf was a monk painter. Moreover, the artist was permitted only a single day to complete the portrait (worked a day). The Duke asks the envoy to sit down and look at the painting of his wife. His request to sit almost seems an order. It revel’s the Duke’s haughty nature.

Note- (1) The use of the word my denotes an attitude of proprietorship in the Duke towards his wife. (2) That’s my…alive- The Duke appreciates his wife’s portrait though, as we learn later. he did not like the qualities. (3) Fra- Friar, literally means brother, refers to the membership of Roman Catholic religious orders or brotherhoods. (4) Fra Pondolf- An imaginary artist.

2. 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.

Explanation with Reference to the Context- In Browning’s poem “My Last Duchess’, the Duke is addressing the envoy of a count whose daughter he is going to marry. He drawn his attention to the portrait of his last Duchess, now dead. He calls it a portrait done by Friar Pandolf and then qualifies his statement with the remark that he did so by design, because he had noticed that visitors were intrigued by the expression on the Duchess’s face, and almost wanted to ask what caused it. Most of them restrained that curiosity because they dared not wound with feelings.

The Duke means that often people, observing the expressions of passion on the Duchess’s face, were suspicious of an affair between her and the painter. He generally, therefore, attributed the painting to one Friar Pandolf, since a clergyman’s name would remove all suspicion. He was also particular that no one but he drew the curtain to display the portrait.

Critical Note- (1) The words show the disposition of the Duke. he was one who looked upon his wife as a chattel, and who could not suffer any expression of intense emotion from her.

2. Put’s by- pulls aside, possessiveness is indicated.

3. Bo, not the first

Are you to turn and ask thus, Sir, ‘t was not

He husband’s presence only, called that spot

Of joy into the Duchess, cheek: perhaps

Fra Pandolf chanced to say, ‘Her manile laps

Over my lady’s wrist too much,

Explanation with Reference to the Context- These lines are from Robert Browning’s poem entitled “My Last Duchess.”

The poem shown us the inside of a typical Renaissance character typified by an unscrupulous and proud Duke. Talking to the envoy of a count whose daughter he wishes to marry, the Duke shows him the portrait his previous wife who is dead. He remarks on her nature. Instead of understanding her amiable nature, he says that she was a silly childish woman who was readily impressed and pleased. She treated all favours alike with a smiles on the lady’s face were not for her husband alone. The bright redness visible on the lady’s cheeks was very unique. The Duke explains why the portrait of the Duchess has a blush on her cheeks. Many people think that blush appeared on her cheeks because her husband the Duke was present there when the portrait was being made. The Duke tells the envoy that the blush on her face was not because he was present there. There was some other reason of it, perhaps some compliment by the artist occasioned that happy spot on her face. The artist might have complimented her on her dress. He might have said that her loose cloak covered her wrist too much.

Critical Note- (1) Sir, The Duke shows, respect to the envoy,(2) It was not… cheek- The blush was occasioned some circumstance other than the mere presence of the Duke when the portrait was being made.

4. and, ‘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.

Explanation with Reference to the Context- These lines occur in Robert Browning’s poem entitled ‘My Last Duchess’. The Duke tells the envoy that a look on the Duchess’s face in the portrait always roused the curiosity of visitors. They found something extraordinary in the passion conveyed by that look. The Duke admits that it was not merely his presence in the studio that was responsible for the flush of joy. It was perhaps occasioned by some casual remark from the painter. He might have said that art could never reproduce the faint flush that half-illumined the Duchess’s face. The painter might have said that the blush was so lovely and yet so fleeting that it was impossible to capture it on canvas. The Duchess had a nature so easily pleased that even such a casual remark, one of formal courtesy merely could make her blush with happiness.

The Duke said that remarks such as made by the painter were merely expressions of courtesy. The Duke accepts that his last Duchess had such an innocent happy nature that it was easily pleased.

Critical Note- Innocence was the special grace and beauty of the Duchess’s nature. She was innocent, pleasant and kind. But the Duke was ill natured that he regarded these qualities in the duchess as something below dignity.

5. she had

A heart how shall I say ?- too soon made glad,

Too easily impressed; she liked whate’r

She looked on, and her looks went everywhere.

Explanation with Reference to the Context- These lines are from Robert Browning’s famous dramatic monologue entitled My Last Duchess’. The Duchess was of a simple nature. She was easily impressed and pleased. She treated all favours alike with a smile ready for everyone. The Duke is describing the nature of the Duchess. She was one who could be easily pleased. She found joy in everything around, her smiling face was turned on the things. It never made any distinction, between things or persons. Everything pleased her. The Duke, who could not appreciate such unselfish joy, here speaks of it with implied contempt. But Browning finds in the Duchess a nature after his own heart, one which fully appreciate all the pleasures that life had to offer.

Critical Note- (1) Browning describes a nature after his own heart, one which fully appreciated all the pleasures that life had to offer. The Duke is represented as being critical of such an outlook. Thus Browning suggests the attitude of the man.

6. Sir, I was 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.

Explanation with Reference to the Context- These lines are from Robert Browning’s poem ‘My Last Duchess’ The poem is in the form of a dramatic monologue. In the poem the speaker-an Italian Duke, the Duke of Ferrara, reveals how out of hatred he got his previous wife murdered. Here the Duke is talking to the envoy of the Count whose daughter he is going to marry, he shows to that envoy the painting of his previous wife as it is done on the wall. The poem shows us the inside of a typical Renaissance character typified by an unscrupulous and proud Duke. Talking to the envoy of a Count whose daughter he wishes to marry, the Duke shows him the portrait of his previous wife who is dead. He remarks on her nature. Instead of understanding her amiable nature, he says that she was a silly childish woman who was readily impressed and pleased, who treated all favours alike a smile ready for everyone.

The Duke was annoyed with the Duchess because she did not feel thankful to him for the honour he bestowed on her by marrying her. Even the gifts to her by other people and those given by him made her equally happy. She thanked both with equal warmth. The Duke failed to understand how she could equal his gifts with everybody’s gifts. The Duchess was graceful for the least kindness done to her and when she thanked the people, the Duke, though he did not get angry at that, did not however feel happy. Being absolutely unaffected by such feelings of gratitude towards others, the Duke naturally could not understand or appreciate her attitude.

7. 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 disgust me; here you.miss,

Or there exceed the mark-and if she let

Herself be lessoned so, not plaintly set

Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse,

-Even then would be some stooping, and I chose

Never to stoop.

Explanation with Reference to the Context- The Duke in Browning’s poem My Last Duchess was cut to the quick when he found her Duchess making no difference between himself and another people who came into the contact of his last Duchess. He wants to convince the envoy of the Court who has come with a marriage proposal that his last wife was neither cultured nor refined but an ordinary woman.

The Duke did not mind that she thanked people for their good acts. But she did not give him a special treatment while thanking others. He was her husband and belonged to a family of 900 years standing and reputation. He was shocked that she treated him at par with other people. Thus she disgraced his royal name and lineage. It was a mean act by the Duchess. He could have pointed it to the Duchess who might have corrected it she thought it fit. But then he did not like to do that. It would have been his insult had he done so.

The Duke takes objection to the Duchess’s way of treating him at par with other people-big and small. She thus disgraces his royal name and linage. The arrogant and callous Duke refuses to point out to the Duchess when he has felt about her conduct. It is possible that the lady would have corrected her behaviour so as not to annoy her husband. he tells the messenger that he does not know the art of polite conversation. And even if he knew it he would not have gone to the Duchess and pointed her faults to her, it would have meant bowing down to a wife. That was not his culture. He belongs to a family where men (husbands) do not bend or bow. The Duke save he is the one who never likes stooping down.

Critical Note- (1) With anybody’s gift – Browning here implies that she had a far more intelligent and aesthetic outlook than the Duke, she had a mind which was alive to the beauty of Nature and man.

(2) I chuse never to stoop- Here the Duke, reveals his supreme ergotism, his consciousness of superiority.

(3) Chuse is the 18th century spelling of choose.

8. Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt,

Whene’er 1 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.

Explanation with Reference to the Context- These lines are from Robert Browning’s poem entitled ‘My Last Duchess’. The Duke was very angry with the Duchess’s appreciation of everything she saw. She was of a generous nature and was responsive to every good deed done to her by anybody, howsoever small or low. She always complimented everybody with a smile. The ancestral pride of the Duke received a severe jolt at her putting him at par with common people. The possessive husband wanted exclusively to own her smile. He thought it below his dignity to correct the lady because it would have meant coming down a little from his wanted dignity.

The Duke tells the envoy that though she smiled whenever her passed by, however, the same smile was given by her to all the people whom she met. There was nothing special in the way she smiled on her husband. This hurt the Duke very much. As time passed, this attitude of the Duchess became more and more pronounced. it became unbearable. The Duke decided to find a permanent solution of the problem. With an air of conscious pride, the Duke tells the envoy how he dealt with the Duchess whose attitude to life filled him with disgust. He did not stoop to admonish or correct her. Finding that it was growing out of proportion, he took the necessary steps to stop it for ever.

“I gave commands then all smiles stopped together.” Browning himself once said that by the Duke’s cryptic words he had meant that at his orders she was either put to death or shut up in a convent. Most probably she was put to death secretly. The Duke then again points to the Duchess’s painting saying that the painting is so real that the Duchess seems to be standing there alive.

Critical Note- Professor Hiram Charson is said to have questioned browning on the meaning of these lines, and the poet said that “the commands were that she should be put to death, or he might have had her shut up in a convent “Robinson has called the passage, Then all smiles stopped together’ “a tragedy in five words”. He points attention to the retarding of the rhythm to suit the substance of the lines, sound echoing sense. Browning very frequently is elaborate in designing his effects, but here we have an example of significant suggestion with economy in words.

9. 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

Of mine of 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!

Explanation with Reference to the Context- These lines from Browning’s poem ‘My Last Duchess’ are spoken by the Dake to the emissary of the Count who has come with a marriage proposal for the Duke. The Duke wants to convince the Count through his envoy that he (Duke) belongs to a family of culture. taste and wealth. The Duke disliked his Duchess’s generous disposition. Her generous behaviour continued. The Duke thought it below his dignity to try to correct her. He gave commands that she should be put to death. The Duke showed his wife’s portrait to the envoy and told him how her life ended. After telling him about his previous Duchess’s end in a casual manner he returned to the topic of his marriage with the Count’s daughter. He proceeds to the topic in a business like fashion. From the manner the Duke speaks it appears that Duke had already had some talks about the dowry or presents that he would expect from his future father-in-law. The Duke tells the Count’s envoy that the reputation which the Count has for splendid generosity is enough guarantee that all his claims regarding dowry will be granted. The Duke further clarifies his remarks lest he should be misunderstood. He tells the envoy that even though his first and foremost attraction is the charming daughter of the Count, still he has mentioned about the dowry because he has great faith in the generosity of the Count. While going down he draws the envoy’s attention to a bronze-status of Neptune the sea-god. He tells the envoy that this pose of Neptune taming a sea-horse is a rare one. He also informs the envoy that the bronze-statue was made for the Duke by Claus of Innsbruck. The Duke wants the dowry to be worthy of his status, or at least what he considers it to be. It is significant that Browning makes him speak first of the dowry and then of the lady. That shows which is more important to him. Obviously, love has no place in such contracts entered into by him. We expect that in a sort while he would treat his second wife in the way he treated the first. The same fate awaits her.

Critical Note- (1) May we….down – The man has evidently stood back, allowing the Duke to move down the staircase first. As they are stepping down, the Duke calls attention to one of his rare bronze pieces.

(2) Neptune- A statue of Neptune, god of the sea in classical mythology. “The art lover in the Duke is brought out. The reference to clause of Innsbruck also indicates the Duke’s preference for reputed the Duke and the sea-god Neptune, for both are given to taming the unruly elements.”