Britton Woodall
Jernigan
English AP
7 February 2011
Rich Prick
In the poem “My Last Duchess” Robert Browning writes the poem from the point of view of a wealthy individual, possibly a Ferrara or the Ferrara. (Whatever that may be). The wealthy man most likely speaks to a guest in his house during a social gathering.
As the two walk down the hall of the Ferrara’s home, the Ferrara points out a picture on his wall. He begins to explain who the picture depicts. He tells his guest it is of his last wife who no longer lives. He tells the guest with very little remorse or sadness. He speaks more about the painter who painted it than the woman herself. Already the reader sees the man speaking as a cold soul.
He continues talking about the painting and he finally begins to mention the girl and with it he says “she had a glad heart too soon made glad, Too easily impressed; she liked whate’er she looked on, and her looks went everywhere.” All seem good qualities to have, but the man does not appreciate them because she was having an affair. Now the plot starts to come unraveled. He had her killed because she was cheating. However, the manner in which he did so lacks class.
Rather than confront her and talk to her about what he suspected and how he felt he just acted and killed her. To talk to her would be “stooping” and “[he chooses] never to stoop.” In his pride he kills his wife and keeps her picture in his hallway. Unashamedly he shows the picture to his guest then they return to the party.