David Taaffe

Mrs. Jernigan

English AP

January 31, 2011

“My Last Duchess”

It seems as if the author speaks this poem, but someone else could be the speaker. The speaker, whoever that may be, clearly speaks to another man at certain points in the poem. He often addresses some “sir.” Fra Pandolf may be the intended audience of the poem. I do not understand the references to Fra Pandolf. I do, however, appreciate the fact that Browning utilizes iambic pentameter in order to display his fond view of the lady painted on the wall. His beautiful style models her own beauty.

            The speaker clearly admires the woman in the painitng. He employs powerful diction with words such as “depth and passion,” and he describes her as “a wonder.”

            I do not completely comprehend this poem, but it seems to me that the woman in the painting has died. This poem serves as a lament and elegy in her honor. I could be horribly wrong though. It also seems as if the duchess is the daughter of some “master” for whom the speaker has much respect.

            Browning uses imagery as he describes seahorses and boughs of cherries. Again, these beautiful images reflect the beauty of the duchess on the wall.