Amanda Bunker English 196 Dr.

Jon Chatlos Tuesday, March 10, 2009 Final Copy

Some say that the Duke had the Duchess killed simply because she wasn't being a proper wife by making friendly and innocent gestures at people, including men. Others say that her friendly gestures alluded to that she was being more than friendly with a number of different men. Both claims can be argued equally with various supportive points. The Duke tried to convince himself that the Duchess loved and wanted him. That idea being in his head only made him think more highly of himself. The truth of the matter is though, the Duchess honestly didn't want to be with or love him. When the Duke was discussing the portrait with the painter he stated, Sir, 'twas not / Her husband's presence only, called that spot / Of joy into the Duchess' cheek (lines 14-15). Obviously the Duke was not the only person who could please her the way that a wife should be pleased. She may have smiled at the Duke, on occasion, but she also smiled at the white mule (28). Though, her eyes were directed elsewhere, fantasizing on something else. The lack of control her had over his wife's actions furthered his anger towards her, whether it be for her promiscuousness or her friendly persona. While the Duke was conversing with the painter, he focused on how well the painter was able to capture the Duchess in her moment of pure happiness. It is a possibility that the Duke was considering the idea that there was a sexual encounter or a sexual implication from the painter to bring out that state of happiness in the Duchess. The Duke obviously knew, She had / A heart too soon made glad, Too easily impressed; she liked what'er / She looked on, and her looks went everywhere (22-25). The Duke saw the Duchess smiling at other men and the men smiling back at her. The Duchess was

making the effort to give attention to passersby, instead of being with the Duke simply to make him look better. When marrying the Duchess, the Duke expected out of his wife that she be silent and beautiful. When his wife failed to do this his anger was sent to such an extreme that he took it out on his wife by killing her. On the other hand, seeing the Duchess show this sign of friendliness to random people could have caused the Duke to formulate his own assumptions that his wife was running around on him. She was smiling at other men she passed because they were pleasing her in a way that the Duke wasn't. The only thing the Duke had to offer the Duchess was a gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name (33). These other men she was involved with treated her with more respect as a woman than the Duke did. While at the same time as showing her loving attention she could fulfill her sexual desires. He was a Duke; he could do much better than someone who would take an interest in other things and people besides him. He wanted her all to himself. He couldn't bear the sight of her with other suitors. By the end of the poem, he came to the conclusion that if he couldn't have her all to himself, that no one should have the luxury of being in her presence. He expressed his frustrations, Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together (45-46). The Duke had the Duchess killed because she was sexually involved with other men besides him. Written in 1842, Robert Brownings My Last Duchess is exemplary of the Victorian Age, (1830-1901) in that it stimulated conversation and debate on the issues of womens roles. Although during Queen Victorias reign some women had opportunities that were offered to them that were not available to them before, there was still an issue for many women from a variety of classes in this time period. Many Victorian Age writers would argue that womans duties were in the household. Obviously, women continued to be treated as inferior as opposed to men. Womens rights were still a touchy subject. Therefore, Robert Brownings My Last Duchess is a good example of the Victorian Age because the Duchess is a perfect example of a woman who was thought to be something that she wasnt or didnt wish to be.