Browning uses a AA BB rhyme scheme.

Set in iambic pentameter, AABB rhyme scheme along with

other techniques such as enjambment and caesura, the poem reveals qualities about the speaker
and his situation.

The main feature of this poem is Browning’s artistic use of the dramatic monologue. Even though it is the
duke who is talking about the character of the duchess to the messenger, one can glean lots of facts
about his own character through the manner in which he speaks, and the way in which he describes his
wife. This, coupled with the use of enjambment, the technique of inserting line breaks, and caesurae,
emphasize the flow of the duke’s speech.

Thus Browning, in a colorful and impressive monologue portrays a character that is as vile and maniacal
as the language is flowery. The duke is shown to be a control-freak, an over imaginative psychopath who
finds fault in the innocence of his wife’s youth, and condemns her to death.

Browning weaves a compelling tale of mystery, murder and intrigue which in equal parts disgusts and
delights the reader. One is appalled at the cruelty and madness of the duke, yet is amazed at the beauty
and majesty of the language used, which is in no way below the level of Shakespeare.

The chilling is inherent in the structure of the poem. As the irony is decoded, the Duke and the Duchess appear just

the opposite to what the Duke poses to reveal about himself and his last wife.

The poem is written in heroic couplets. In other words, each line is a pentameter line and each pair of these lines

rhyme together. The poem is rich in its variety of tones. In the beginning the poet maintains a calm, complacent tone.

Then it changes into a tone of annoyance. Finally, the tone becomes confidently cruel.