Robert Browning sets the tone of "My Last Duchess," by using three significant poetic techniques, on
e of which is imagery. Browning uses the Duke's monologue to sketch out images in the reader's mind
of the Duchess herself, and the sinister personality of the Duke. Browning also uses another key d
evice, which is diction to illustrate the darkness in this poem. Browning's careful word choice add
s to the description of the Duchess and perhaps her disgraceful behavior, as well as the Duke's terr
ifying jealousy, and expectations. Finally, Browning also uses symbolism, which is instrumental in
showing the Duke's jealousy, which possibly could have led to the Duchess' demise. Robert Browning
is able to achieve a haunting, mysterious, and eerie tone in "My Last Duchess," by using imagery, pr
ecise diction, and symbolism.
The imagery in "My Last Duchess," conveys a clear picture in the read
er's mind of not only of the Duchess, and her portrait, but also the darkness of the Duke's life. T
he Duke begins his soliloquy by saying, "That's my last duchess painted on the wall, / Looking as if
she were alive," (1-2) already the reader is hit with the image of the late Duchess' portrait. A m
ysterious tone lurks as the Duke speaks because the reader now wonders how the Duchess died. As the
Duke continues with his speech, he vividly paints a picture of the Duchess. The Duke recounts how
the painter, Fra Pandolf compliments her beautiful skin by saying, "Paint / Must never hope to repro
duce the faint /Half-flush that dies along her throat" (17-19). As the Duchess blushes at Pandolf's
kindness, the Duke's jealousy is building up. As the Duke and his guest make their way downstairs
to meet the rest of the company, the Duke says, "Notice Neptune, though / Taming a sea-horse, thoug
ht a rarity" (54-55). The image of Neptune as he tames the sea horse is a perfect example of the Du
kes temperamental, and controlling personality. This image reflects his domineering disposition, wh
ich adds to the haunting, eerie tone.
An eerie and mysterious tone is further enhanced by Browning'
s use of diction. Browning's particular word choice in this dramatic monologue steers the reader to
believe that over time the Duchess' flirtatious nature becomes more difficult for the Duke to handl
e. As he says to the emissary, "Sir, 'twas not / Her husband's presence only, call that spot / Of j
oy into the Duchess' cheek," (12-14) the Duke begins to explain how she is charmed by anyone, and "t
oo easily impressed" (24). In addition to being overly impressed by gifts from "officious fools," (
27) the Duke is especially upset as he says, "she ranked / My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name
/ With anybody's gift." By marrying the Duchess the Duke gave her the gift of nobility, and she now
holds a higher social rank. He feels that that gift alone should maintain her happiness, and commi
tment to him. The Duke's anger, and jealously have now escalated, and the reader begins to question
what his madness will carry him to do. Another meticulous selection of words Browning uses is, " O
h, sir, she smiled, no doubt, / Whene'er I passed her; but who passed without / Much the same smile?
This grew; I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together." (43-46) The poem has now turned
very mysterious, how was the Duchess executed, and who other than the Duke is responsible?
Browning
is able to make the Duke's controlling nature apparent through the use of symbolism. The Duke's ne
ed to be dominate and in control at all times is frightening. The portrait of the late Duchess is a
symbol to show the Duke's dominance. The Duchess had slightly rebelled against the Duke, and he qu
estions her fidelity when he says, "She thanked men, good! But thanked / Somehow I know not how" (3
1-32). The Duke was distraught that he was unable to control her innocent blushes, or friendly smil
es at others. It finally came time for the Duke to take matters into is own hands, he then, "gave c
ommands," (45) and "then all smiles stopped together" (46). The art is a symbol that he is now able
to control her every glance and every smile. Not only does he now have complete control over her,
his guests are only allowed to see her when he draws a curtain and permits them to. It is exception
ally haunting that the Duke is so obsessed with having the power to control someone.
The imagery br
ought to the reader's mind as the Duke is entertaining the emissary is chilling. Browning's compari
son between the Duke and Neptune increase the mysterious effect. As the Duke explains that he refuse
s to allow his next wife to behave the way the late Duchess did, mystery sets in as it makes the rea
der question if he is capable of committing this crime again, and how the Duchess was brought to her
demise. Browning's word choice also enhances the mystery and eeriness of the poem. By using dicti
on, the Duke's controlling personality was described. Finally, Browning uses the Duchess' portrait
as a symbol
In conclusion, Robert Browning achieved a haunting, mysterious, and eerie tone through
the use of three poetic techniques. robert browning sets tone last duchess using three significant
poetic techniques which imagery browning uses duke monologue sketch images reader mind duchess herse
lf sinister personality duke browning also uses another device which diction illustrate darkness thi
s poem careful word choice adds description duchess perhaps disgraceful behavior well duke terrifyin
g jealousy expectations finally also uses symbolism which instrumental showing jealousy possibly cou
ld have demise robert able achieve haunting mysterious eerie tone last using imagery precise diction
symbolism imagery last conveys clear picture reader mind only portrait also darkness life begins so
liloquy saying that painted wall looking were alive already reader with image late portrait mysterio
us tone lurks speaks because wonders died continues with speech vividly paints picture recounts pain
ter pandolf compliments beautiful skin saying paint must never hope reproduce faint half flush that
dies along throat blushes pandolf kindness jealousy building guest make their downstairs meet rest c
ompany says notice neptune though taming horse thought rarity image neptune tames horse perfect exam
ple dukes temperamental controlling personality this image reflects domineering disposition adds hau
nting eerie eerie mysterious further enhanced diction particular word choice this dramatic monologue
steers believe that over time flirtatious nature becomes more difficult handle says emissary twas h
usband presence only call spot into cheek begins explain charmed anyone easily impressed addition be
ing overly impressed gifts from officious fools especially upset says ranked gift nine hundred years
name with anybody gift marrying gave gift nobility holds higher social rank feels alone should main
tain happiness commitment anger jealously have escalated begins question what madness will carry ano
ther meticulous selection words smiled doubt whene passed passed without much same smile grew gave c
ommands then smiles stopped together poem turned very executed other than responsible able make cont
rolling nature apparent through symbolism need dominate control times frightening portrait late symb
ol show dominance slightly rebelled against questions fidelity when thanked good thanked somehow kno
w distraught unable control innocent blushes friendly smiles others finally came time take matters i
nto hands then gave commands then smiles stopped together symbol able control every glance every smi
le only does have complete over guests allowed when draws curtain permits them exceptionally hauntin
g obsessed having power someone brought mind entertaining emissary chilling comparison between neptu
ne increase effect explains refuses allow next wife behave late mystery sets makes question capable
committing crime again brought demise word choice enhances mystery eeriness poem using controlling p
ersonality described finally symbol conclusion robert achieved through three poetic techniquesEssay,
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