Summary of My Last Duchess
My last Duchess summary will help in understanding the poem in a clear way. It tells us about a Duke who is in talks with an emissary. As the Duke has been recently widowed, he is talking to him about his marriage. The emissary is there on the behalf of quite a powerful family. He is showing the emissary around his palace when he arrives at the portrait of his last Duchess. She was a young and charming girl. The Duke starts recalling the portrait sessions and the Duchess. Thus, the last Duchess summary tells us of what the Duke thinks of her. He claims she had a disgraceful nature and smiled too much. Further, he goes on to hint that he was in fact the one who probably killed her. As he could not take the escalation anymore. After that, he casually returns to the topic of marrying the other girl.
My Last Duchess Summary in English
My last Duchess summary about the poem by Robert Browning digs deeper for better comprehension. It is evident that the poet has loosely based it on historical events that involve Alfonso of the 16th century.
The Duke of Ferrara is in conversation with an envoy of a very powerful Count. He is the speaker of the poem. The Duke is looking to marry the Count’s daughter. It is because he lost his wife recently.
Thus, he is showing the envoy around his palace. Throughout the tour, we learn shocking revelations about the Duke. The irony which Browning provides in this poem is crystal clear.
On the tour, he comes across a portrait of his last Duchess. He believes that the painter has captured the spectacle of the Duchess’s glimpse. But, he also says that her deep and zealous glance was not just for the Duke and her nature was quite jovial.
Thus, we see how her jovial nature did not go went down well with him. The Duke believed that she was flirting with almost everyone. It becomes clear that he is very controlling as a husband.
As he recalls about her nature, his tone grows harsher. Humans and nature, both impressed the Duchess easily which was not acceptable to him. My last Duchess summary tells us how he thinks she did not respect his lineage.
Thus, he decides to lesson her on loving everything so easily. Consequently, we learn that the Duke probably commanded to kill her. After that, he casually gets back to the business at hand.
He accompanies the envoy back to the Count. Further, he also asks for a high dowry. Although he mentions that his daughter will be enough.
On the way out, he shows the envoy another art piece from his collection like the Duchess’s portrait was merely an object. It is chilling to see him move on from the portrait of his former wife without any emotion.
Conclusion of My Last Duchess Summary
My Last Duchess summary revolves around the theme of political and social power in the hands of the Duke. It depicts the harsh reality of a controlling marriage and a dominating husband who enjoys tyrannical power.
The wonderful summary thank you for this.
They did not belong to the family of gorden cook and you also didn’t write the spelling correct it’s James cook 😶😑
What’s funny is that Miss Fairchild said the line- “Money isn’t everything. But people always misunderstand things and remain stupid-” when she herself misunderstood the situation.