Robert Browning

“My Favorite Duchess”

Dramatic Monologue

Contain 3 formal elements1. An occasion2. a speaker3. a listener

All words are heard by an implied auditor

hear only one voice – typical pre-twentieth century verse –voice male

Dramatic Monologue

The character’s words create:1. a dramatic scene2. a question or problem3. a listener the speaker addresses

The speaker is attempting to achieve something by talking: not to state the truth but to persuade

Dramatic Monologue

a gap exists between what a speaker says and what is actually the case. It is only the girl herself he seeks (lines 52-53)……or is it?

Can the truth exist, independent from any individual point of view?

Voice or Persona enables poet to synthesize two types of

verse, the lyric and the drama. talks about and describes a woman, never

actually quotes that woman. presents the character directly and

ironically, without comment by the poet creates a text which serves to reveal the

inner working of a single character’s psychology, values, tastes, and motivations

Browning’s Duke

modeled on Alfonso II fifth Duke of Ferrara the last of the Este family; born in 1533, married Lucrezia de Medici (14) in 1558. Four years after her death (poison?) in 1561 Alfonso married the daughter of Ferdinand I count of Tyrol

Browning’s Duke

souless product of corrupt class system proud, arrogant manipulating and controlling wealthy (enables him to purchase…) Devil incarnate, murderer

[archetypal]

Browning’s Duchess

young beautiful gracious sensitive nature delights in the simple pleasures of

life

Browning’s theme ?

the historical tyranny of man over woman

subtle condemnation of the nobility for their poor character

Dramatic Irony

manifested in the overall tone of the poem

Duke seeks to give a favorable impression of himself and unfavorable impression of the Duchess. Browning conveys the opposite