Jealousy and Self-Love in My Last Duchess by Robert Browning

Robert Brownings dramatic poem My Last Duchess defines how extremely a person may lose touch with reality, as a result of jealousy and self-love. This central thought is achieved through an aristocrats conversation with a visitor concerning a painting of his ex-wife; within the conversation, the aristocrat--Alfonso II, Duke of Ferrara--reveals that he has been a key figure in the murder of his late wife. The Dukes sense of reality and his misuse of power stand as important facets within the fabrication of the central idea. The Duke almost seems to be encouraging the reader to focus on the fact that his sense of reality is defective. He begins pressing this notion to the reader within the early stages of the poem, while†¦show more content†¦By regarding art in this manner, the fact is demonstrated that he is not able to find a grasp on even the most rudimentary sense of compassion and loyalty. As a result of this, the reader finds it to be no wonder that a person such as the Duke could be part of the murder of his spouse. The Dukes conversation illustrates his arrogance and misuse of power. While it seems he is actively admitting to some sort of action that ultimately has lead to the death of his wife, the Duke demonstrates how his arrogance and suspicion have motivated him to dastardly make use of his power. He says, I choose never to stoop. O sir, she smiled, no doubt, [whenever] I passed her, but who passed without much that same smile? This grew; I gave commands; then all smiles stopped together(Browning 696). By giving these commands, the Duke kills his wife, and at the same time, he solidifies his jealousy and the readers disgust. As though murder was not sufficient, the Duke bombards the reader with his self-love and suspicion, when recalling, She thanked men--good! But thanked somehow--I know not how--as if she ranked my gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name with anybodys gift(Browning 696). With these words, the reader finds the Dukes strongest emotion: jealousy. With this jealousy i n hand, he achieves the murder of his wife. The poem is deep with connotative language, enriching the readers sense of the Dukes personality and the jealously inherent to it. With furtherShow MoreRelatedThe Attitude Of The Poem My Last Duchess By Robert Browning1641 Words   |  7 Pagesthe duchess in My Last Duchess by Robert Browning In the middle ages , the main topic used in poems was a nobleman, usually a knight in love with a married woman and had to prove his devotion by heroic deeds and amorous writings . They used blazon to emphasis the beautiful bodies of the women in those days. However, there was a radical change in the Victorian times where prostitution became such a big issue. The poems became darker and less courtly. 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