My Last Duchess - Robert Browning

CONTEXT
Browning was born in England but lived in Italy for many years
He was alive in the early Victorian era
He was a Romantic and believed in the freedom of the human spirit
My Last Duchess was published in 1842
Ferrara is a region of Italy. The Duke of Ferrara's wife died of suspicious circumstances, there were rumours she was poisoned. Hearing about this event inspired Browning to write the poem

THE STORY OF THE POEM
The Duke proudly points out the portrait of the Duchess (his former wife) to a visitor
The Duke was angered by the Duchess's behaviour
She was friendly toward everyone and he was annoyed that she treated him like everyone else 
He acted to stop the Duchess's flirtatious behaviour, but he doesn't specify how 
However, there are strong hints that he had murdered her 
The Duke and his guest walk away from the painting and the reader discovers that the Duke's visitor has come to arrange the Duke's next marriage 

KEY THEMES IN THE POEM
Power of Humans
Memory
Pride
Identity 

FORM
The poem is a dramatic monologue written in iambic pentameter - the poem seems more like a natural conversation 
Rhyming couplets - the Duke's desire for control
Enjambment…