Title:

  • ‘Last’ gone
  • ‘Duchess’ well known, looked up to, rich

What is it about?

A Duke is talking about his dead wife to a visitor, there is a portrait that shows her smiling widely, he says he has killed her because she smiles at everyone the same way she smiles at him.

Language:

  • ‘Ferrara’ A place in Italy tells you where it is set
  • Repetition of ‘The spot of joy’ shows he was irritated by her smile
  • ‘Half flush dies along her throat’ metaphor the word ‘dies’ makes it seem sad, could be foreshadowing for her death
  • Rhyme makes it flow, it also shows he is in control as there is a controlled rhyme scheme
  • Idiolect- ‘twas
  • Rhetorical Questions- shows he is in charge

Structure

  • Iambic pentameter– makes it flows , picture flows
  • Dramatic Monologue it seems he is talking to you making him more powerful
  • Enjambment natural speech
  • Caesura natural speech, unstable, confused, lacks mental control

Feelings and Ideas

  • Arrogance
  • Power
  • Sinister
  • Jealousy
  • Pride
  • Anger

Themes and Links

  • Death
  • Pride
  • Envy
  • Power is represent when duke talks about 900 year old name
  • Death  is represent in duke’s wife’s death
  • Pride is seen again in the’900 year old name’

Personal opinion:

I think it is despicable that he killed his wife and he has so much power. I do not think it is fair.