Lesson15. February 18th,2025. The Duke and the Duchess. The use of characterisation in R. Browning's My Last Duchess.

STEP 1B

The Duke and the Duchess: characterisation.

  • How oes the reader perceive the Duchess? is he/she free to have a personal opinion of the character? If yes, how? If no, why?
  • How has Robert Browning used language to create the two characters'personalities?
  • How does the poem structure enhance the Duke's control over the narrative?
  • What is the role of the listener in the economy of the monologue? What is his function in the economy of the monologue?
  • There are speechless characters in the monologue. What is the function of such poetic device?
  • What disturbed the Duke about the Duchess?
  • Is R. Browning interested in the Duchess? If yes, why? if not, why?
  • What does art represent in the monologue?
  • How is art connected to the Duchess?
  • What is the role of the extensive use of run-on-line? What does it contribute to?
  • Do you believe the monologue well represents the Victorian mentality?
  • Do you think there is a specific reason why the poet set the monologue in the Italian Renaissance?
  • Discuss the potential of the dramatic monologue with reference to the text.

 

To settle any controversy about the sources of the text consider the linked file

- The Dramatic Monologue 

- Features

STEP 2B

Watch and reflect 

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