The Duke is a obsessively jealous and possessive person. After her death, he has her picture painted where he can have it hung behind this curtain, with only he can pull that curtain to look at her or show to whomever he pleases "since none puts by the curtain I have drawn for you, but I" Browning (703). His jealousy is seen throughout the poem, were she looks at Fra Pandolf and the Duke gets upset, thinking she should only look at him that way.
The poem states that he sees himself as very important and the duchess should see herself as grateful to have married such a great person, as he gave her his name. "My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old-name" Browning (703).
It appears that their marriage was not filled with much happiness, the once happy duchess who used to smile became very unhappy in her marriage. "Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt,, Whene'er I passed her; but who passed without Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped altogether" Browning (703). His need for possession lies in this painting on the wall of her. She was an object in their marriage that he could possess and control. Just like the painting on the wall. He can control the curtain that it hides behind.
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