My Last Duchess, Stanza-wise summary | Class 11 English course
The poem "My Last Duchess", written by Robert Browning, is a famous Dramatic Monologue style poem in English literature, often taught in the English course of class 11. This poem is not only literally important, but it is also very useful for students and teachers hidden psychological, social and moral messages.
In this post, we are presenting a simple and comprehensive summary of every part of the poem "My Last Duchess", which will make it easier for the readers to understand the spirit of poetry, the nature of the characters, and the deep meaning of the poem.
If you are a student of WBCHSE/CBSE or other reputable recognized board’s class 11 or preparing for an exam, then this post is very useful for you.
"My Last Duchess" – Stanza-wise summary
Stanza 1:
"That's my last duches painted on the wall,
Looking as if she was alive ... ”
Summary: At the beginning of the poem, Duke pointed to a beautiful painting of his dead wife (Duchess) hanging on the wall of his palace. He says that this painting looks so vibrant as if she is still alive. This picture was made by a famous painter named Fra Pandolf in a day.
Stanza 2:
"Will'Te please you sit and look at her? ..."
Summary: Duke asks the visitor to sit and watch the painting. He deliberately takes the name of Fra Pandolf so that the visitor praises his wife's deep eyes. He tells that no one else removes this curtain - the same. The curiosity of the visitor is natural, because even before, people have been asking how so much feelings came in his eyes.
Stanza 3:
"Sir, 'Twas Not
Her Husband's presence only, called that spot… ”
Summary: Duke says that the redness of happiness on his wife's face was not only by the presence of her (husband). Perhaps Fra Pandolf may have made a slight comment as if "your clothes are covering your hand," which made him smile. He says that Duchess used to be happy with everything very quickly.
Stanza 4:
"She Had
A Heart - How shall i say?
Summary: Duke says that Duchess's heart was very happy. She was influenced by everything - the light of the sun, the flowers of the cherry brought by a common man, the white mule ride - all of them got the same pleasure.
Stanza 5:
She Thanked Men - Good! But Thanked
Somehow… I know not how… ”
Summary: Duke did not like that Duchess used to thank everyone equally. He felt bad that he also considered his hereditary honor ("nine hundred years old name") as the common gifts of others.
Stanza 6:
"Who'd Stoop to Blame
This sort of trifling? ... ”
Summary: Duke says that he cannot fall down so much that he should complain to the Duchess on these things. He believes that it will also 'bend' to clarify his feelings - what he never wants to do.
Stanza 7:
"Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt,
Whene'er I Passed Her… ”
Summary: Duke admits that the Duchess smiled even after seeing her, but she used to give the same smile to everyone. He did not tolerate this behavior. Finally he "ordered" and after that "all smiles stopped" - it means that he possibly killed the Duchess.
Stanza 8:
"There she stands
As if alive. Will'Te please you Rise? ... ”
Summary: Now Duke again looks at the painting of the Duchess to the visitor and says that now it seems as if she looks alive. Then he tells the visitor to walk down and meet the rest of the guests.
Stanza 9:
"The count your master's knowledge munificence…"
Summary: Now the Duke talks to the person (visitor) who has come from a rich count. Duke says that he is sure that his dowry demand will be met, although his real purpose is to marry the daughter of the count.
Stanza 10:
"Notice Neptune, Thought,
Taming a Sea-Horse… "
Summary: At the end of the poem, Duke shows a rare statue of bronze to the visitor in which the sea god Neptune is subduing a sea horse. This idol is also made by a famous artist (Claus of Insbrook). It shows that Duke is a lover of control and ownership.
"My Last Duches" is not just a poem, but it is an esoteric expression of power, right, and self -respect. Through Duke's dialogues, Robert Browning has very effectively presented the complications of human nature.
We hope that this English summary would have helped you to understand the poem deeply.
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