Character Analysis Of My Last Duchess

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The mysterious death of Lucrezia, wife of the Duke Alfonso II, inspired the poem, "My Last Duchess”. Robert Browning’s poem, “My Last Duchess”, is a monologue given by the Duke of Ferrara about the portrait of his late wife. The Duke is a widow and wishes to marry again. The Duke 's main intent is for a noble family to see him as a man with power and wealth but fails and reveals his true nature. There are three characteristics that the Duke reveals throughout the poem. These are traits of being materialistic, controlling, and arrogant. The Duke’s introduction of the portrait reveals his unhealthy need for control. As the Duke of Ferrara begins to talk about his late wife in the portrait, he unveils his greed an excessive pride. In the beginning of the poem, the Duke portrays himself as a wealthy man and is giving an emissary a tour of his gallery. The motive of this tour was to show his vast wealth and influence. As the Duke stops and shows off his late wife’s portrait, he unknowingly reveals his need for control. This trait is evident as he describes the portrait: "Frà 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) (Lines 6-10) The Duke states that Fra Pandolf was the painter and explains the need to introduce the painter. Since only he lifts the curtain off the portrait, only he can explain the depth and

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