my last duchess - bbaenglish.pptVIP

My Last Duchess In this poem, Browning creates a character of chilling coldness and cruelty. The speaker is a Duke who is conducting negotiations for a bride, a new duchess. He is talking with the representatives of potential father in law. Almost casually, he shows them the picture of the ‘last’ duchess whom he had killed because he could not dominate her. Imagine this scene… A stately home A rich, devastatingly handsome Duke, flowing dark hair, bright blue eyes, a velvet jacket, an ornately embroidered waistcoat with gold buttons, a walking cane adorned with jewels. An envoy – a man sent to meet the Duke – a lesser man, smartly dressed but does not have the Duke’s money or charisma and the Duke knows it. The Duke takes the envoy around his home to show off his art collection, including a portrait of his late wife, the Last Duchess. Questions How will the Duke speak to the envoy? Consider not only what he says but how he will say it. How does the Duke move around the home? How does the Duke look at the envoy? How will the Duke describe the portrait of the Last Duchess? Poetry glossary Iambic pentametre Metre = measurement of the beats in a line of poetry (to create rhythm) Iamb = a metrical foot of 2 beats with the stress on the second beat (tee –tum) Pentameter = 5 pairs of iambs (typical of Shakespearean sonnets) My Last Duchess Robert Browning listen My Last DuchessFerraraThats my last Duchess painted on the wall,Looking as if she were alive. I callThat piece a wonder, now: Frà Pandolfs handsWorked busily a day, and there she stands. Last as in previous – one in a list Implies that she is dead Always there forever An object / work of art Willt please you sit and look at her? I saidFrà Pandolf by design, Bragging about the artist Still sees her as a real person. …for never readStrangers like you that pictured countenance, The depth and passion of its earnest glance Facial expression A stra