e Renaissance was a time when morally dissolute men like the Duke exercised absolute power (Watson 135), explaining why Browning chose the dark concept of male domination and control in My Last Duchess. I find that attention needs to be placed as well upon the life-like portrait of the former Duchess, representing the Dukes abusive ways. The portrait is said to be a successful description of the beautiful Duchess because it captures her elegant passion and natural beauty- evident in line eight: 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) (Kennedy 16). Most men who gazed at her madly adored her and by having her portrait enclosed by a curtain, opened and closed at the Dukes command, he is able to regulate who sees his former Duchess, controlling her still even in death. Therefore, realizing why the Duke is so jealous and overprotective of his flirtatious beauty, seeing now why many men basked in her presence. The bough of cherries some officious fool broke in the orchard for hershe thanked men, - good! But thanked somehow I know not how as if she ranked my gift of nine-hundred-years-old name with anybodys gift (Kennedy 16). Upon further inspection, lines 14-15, the reader understands the feelings the Duke possesses about his former Duchesss downfalls, masking his tone of anger. A heart how shall I say? too soon made glad, too easily impressed; she liked whateer she looked on, and her looks went everywhere (Kennedy 16). Upon analyzing and critiquing this particular piece of poetry, the Duke is made to be quiet a performer of sorts to the reader. More clearly stated, he is able to use his own force and brutality to make horrific information seem extremely colorful and merely enchanting: Whod stoop to blame this sort of trifling? Even had you skill in speech which I have not to make your will quite clear to such an one (Kennedy 16). The audience, h...
