Robert Browning, one of the most influential and imaginative poets in our history, engulfs readers in a wave of dramatic language, and colorful character representation in the extremely popular poem: My Last Duchess, which stands as one of Brownings most famous literary pieces. In many ways the tone Browning wishes to convey provides a dark background in which many impressions and interpretations of the Duke and his former Duchess can be assessed. And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst, how such a glance came there; so, not the first are you to turn and ask thus (Kennedy 16). As well, Browning has ingeniously chosen vivid and extraordinary instances through out the poem to hint at obscure character qualities and mysterious moments, that make it seem like the reader is eavesdropping on the personal conversation between the Duke and the nobleman belonging to his new fiancs family. Browning, in the first lines of the dramatic poem, uses immense narration to call attention to many facts and details about the Dukes presence and life, almost acting like an introduction on things to come. For instance, the first five lines of My Last Duchess provide the reader with the Dukes title (Ferrara), historical reference/setting (Italy), as well as his aristocratic class and environment. With the Duke the main speaker, it is only assumed that he is the only person telling the story of his power and favorable last duchess, showing off her life-like portrait as a trophy. Thats my last Duchess painted on the wall, looking as if she were alivewillt please you sit and look at her? (Kennedy 15-16). It is noticed that Browning has used the past tense in this monologue to describe the life-like portrait on display, using words like last, and were for significance regarding the true fate of the Duchess. As this masterful dialogue continues, the reader comes to the reality that in fact the Duke is responsible for the Duchesss early demise: I gave comm...
