"My" = Possessive. No individual name for her apart from her status as his wife. "Last" = ambiguous meaning. The most recent Duchess, he has had many. Title suggests topic of monologue is her, but it is really about him.
1 of 13
"Painted on the wall / looking as if she was alive"
Literal portrait = her. Metaphorical portrait = what we learn of him. She is dead, portrait is lifelike.
2 of 13
"That piece a wonder, now"
"That piece" = objectification of women. "Now" shows he values the painting now because he can control it. Values as piece of art which is contained and only his. Subtle use of comma as pause.
3 of 13
"since none puts by the curtain I have drawn for you but I"
Possessive nature. Hiding her from others, controls who looks at her and who she looks at. Reserving for him only.
4 of 13
"Sir, twas not / Her husband's presence only, called that spot / Of joy"
Blush on cheek, impulsive. Suspicion this was causes by other mean. "Spot" = seen as an imperfection.
5 of 13
"Too soon made glad, / Too easily impressed"
Criticism about her, he is displeased with her being easy to impress. Sees it as flirtatious etc. Justifies why curtain was needed.
6 of 13
"She liked whate'er / She looked on, and her look went everywhere"
Her young curiosity was seen by the Duke as an imperfection and an insult to him. She was easily impressed which should be a good thing but seen by the Duke as a flaw, insult to his name and himself.
7 of 13
"As if she ranked ? My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name / With anybody's gift"
Gift of marriage. He sees this as the best gift of all and doesn't understand how she seems to not appreciate it.
8 of 13
"But who passed without / Much the same smile?"
He never got special attention as her husband. Nothing was ever just for him, smile or blush etc.
9 of 13
"This grew; I gave commands / Then all smiles stopped together"
Murder confession. He seems calm, controlled and calculating. No remorse or guilt. He can get away with it because he is the Duke. Self righteous.
10 of 13
"Will't please you rise?"
Regaining control straight away. No pause for remorse or sadness for loss of wife. Moves on straight to the next major.
11 of 13
"Though his fair daughter's self"
Interest in new wife/financial arrangement already. His marriages just for financial reasons. Never for honest, loving reasons.
12 of 13
"Notice Neptune, though, / Taming a sea-horse... Cast in bronze for me!"
Masculinity. His need to show his power and his wealth. Symbol for his taming of the duchess. Social status is the most important for him. Bronze is another hint of his financial status.
13 of 13
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
"Painted on the wall / looking as if she was alive"
Back
Literal portrait = her. Metaphorical portrait = what we learn of him. She is dead, portrait is lifelike.
Card 3
Front
"That piece a wonder, now"
Back
Card 4
Front
"since none puts by the curtain I have drawn for you but I"
Back
Card 5
Front
"Sir, twas not / Her husband's presence only, called that spot / Of joy"
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