My Last Duchess by Robert Browning

Power and Control in My Last Duchess by Robert Browning

Power is the ability of an individual or group to influence the behavior of others through manipulation, coercion, persuasion, or domination. It is the possession of authority over others and the degree of influence that an individual or individuals have amongst their peers and within society as a whole. Therefore, the possession of power allows for the imposition of one’s will in a given situation. Power is used by a person or group to limit or regulate the courses of action which are open to other individuals with or without their consent. It can be obtained through wealth, status, prestige, numbers, or organizational efficiency. The exercitation of power can be blunt or subtle, legal or illegal, justly or unjustly. However, the basis of one’s power is the capability of compelling obedience through the threat or use of force.

In Robert Browning’s poem, “My Last Duchess”, power is used to demonstrate the arrogant, jealous, and controlling nature of the speaker, the Duke. The first two lines of the poem introduce the reader to the topic of the Duke’s speech, a painting of his late wife. The lines, “that’s my last Duchess painted on the wall/Looking as if she were still alive” (Browning 1-2), appear to be about his late wife on the surface but mention of the Duchess is secondary to the self-importance expressed by the Duke in his speech. Furthermore, the lines reveal that the Duchess was relatively insignificant to him. By stating that the painting of the late Duchess “looks as if she were still alive” (Browning 2), instead of noting that the painting is lifelike, the Duke appears to have only valued the Duchess for her physical experience.

The history of the painting re...

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...ess’s portrait. Jealousy, arrogance, and a controlling nature accompany the Duke’s assertion of power over others. His power makes him feel that others, even his late wife, are below him and subject to his whim. He reacts with jealousy that his wife, who should be grateful for marrying into his family and obtaining the power of his lineage, showed affection to others. Moreover, the Duke felt he could not control his wife’s behavior. He viewed his lack of control over his wife as a threat to his power. As a result, he had her killed since his arrogance would not allow him to lower himself and speak to her. In the end, he compelled his wife’s obedience by having her killed, maintaining power over her through her painting.

Works Cited

Browning, Robert. “My Last Duchess.” Poetry X. Ed. Jough Dempsey. 16 Jun 2003. 08 Feb. 2014 .