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ANA IVANII A Gr. 301-II-2010
THE DUKE OF FERRARA’S PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE
Robert Browning’s “My Last Duchess”
Robert Browning poured his mould into a shape which had already a powerfulhistorical significance. In this context, the shape was that of Alfonso II, who ruled Ferrarain the sixteenth century. This Renaissance-set dramatic monologue ponders on thecomplexity of life, its highlights and shadows. It does not only reveal a picturesquehistorical scene. The story harbors much significance.
Browning is not primarily concerned to tell a story… or describe a mood…: hisaim is to depict man as he is, with such autobiographical flashbacks as may benecessary to explain the character of the speaker (Ian Jack 
Browning’s Major Poetry
p.196)
The poem opens with a discussion between the Duke of Ferrara and an emissarywhile the Duke presents his personal gallery of 
objets d’art 
, expressing his
hauteur 
. Theystop before the portrait of the Duchess. He refers to his wife using Past Tense, whichsuggests that she is no longer among them. Throughout the poem, Browning provides thereader with unveiling clues that can help create a psychological portrait of the narrator.
 
His uttering “
There she stands/ as if alive
” (l. 50-51) leads the reader tounderstand that he considers the portrait preferable to the original as he can now havecomplete control over his wife, considering her a beautiful art object which he can showto his visitors, because as far as the artistic domain is concerned, the Duke assumes asuperior position. Also, his cold tone, stressing the technical issues of the portrait,without being overwhelmed by a feeling of sad remembrance, mirror his egotisticallyinsensitive nature toward her while she was still alive.He now sees in her a true ageless monument of beauty. His attitude is that of anemotionally insecure child showing his complete sense of possession over the Duchess,especially her smile. The Duke concluded his wife’s enjoyments as impudence (“
A heart […] too soon made glad, too easily impressed 
” l.22-23) and rebellion against her superior. “
I gave commands/Then all smiles stopped together 
” (l. 49-50) is another hidden clue which reveals altogether the Duke’s possible guilt; Browning lets the Dukecondemn himself out of his own mouth.citate din poezie The poem contains two main objects revealing his authoritarianand arrogant mindset; the Duke of Ferrara, in his apparent superiority imprisons themeaning of true art through his own repressive nature, thus all of his remarks depict hispsychological nature and motivations.Along with the portrait, the statue of Neptune is another object of lesson, both for the reader and for the emissary. It is his only way of exerting his power so as to overcome
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