"My Last Duchess" (Unit 9)

"My Last Duchess" written by Robert Browning is a poem written about the duke and his deceases duchess. The duke lived a very elegant and high class life style. Not only did he expect alot from his nobleman but also he had high expectations of his wife. The duke felt as if his wife shouldn't give anyone a smile but him. "Would draw from her alike the approving speech, Or blush, at least. She thanked men-good! but thanked" (30-31 Browning). He believed he should be the only one to bring a smile to her face or to make her blush or feel intimate at all. "Somehow- I know-as if she ranked My gift of a nine hundred years old name With anybody's gift. Who'd stoop to blame" (32-34 Browning). The duke being of a high social class he tends to be very erogant and controlling. He is te ruler of Farra but the poem makes it seem as though he ruled his wifes life as well. His attitude and the way he ruled his wife lead to her death and to have her murdered. "With anybody's gift. Who'd stoop to blame this sort of trifling?" (34-35 Browning). He is showing no remorse and saying how should anybody blame him for wanting her to be dead.