Kennesaw State University

ENGL 2145

My Last Duchess

1)What is the situation of the poem? (Hint: Do a little research about the real characters the author is speaking of)

2. Who is Fra Pandolf?
3. In lines 13-35 of the poem, the Duke makes several complaints about his wife and her conduct in their marriage. What does he say about her? (Hint: Give specifics in lines 25- 30)
4. How did the Duke respond to the Duchess’s behavior at first?
5. What did the Duke ultimately do to the Duchess?
6. How does the Duke change the subject at the end of the poem?
7. What does this shift in topic reveal about his character and his love for the Duchess? His potential new bride?
8.  “My Last Duchess” is an example of a dramatic monologue. Based on your reading of this piece, can you give a definition of this literary term?
9. How is this poem representative of Victorian ideas?