My Last Duchess Biddick Academy我的夫人负荷biddick学院.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? 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 summed as they would ask me, if they durst Are you to turn and ask thus. Sit, ‘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 –