My Last Duchess
by Robert Browning
1. What type of poem is “My Last Duchess”?
Ans: “My Last Duchess” is a dramatic monologue where the speaker is the Duke of Ferrara.
2. What is the original title of the poem “My Last Duchess”?
Ans: The original title of the poem “My Last Duchess” is "I. Italy".
3. What is the theme of "My Last Duchess"?
Ans: The theme of "My Last Duchess" is a Renaissance duke’s deep understanding of art and his incapability to understand his wife, the object of the art.
4. Who is the speaker of the poem "My Last Duchess"? [NU 2017]
Ans: Duke of Ferrara is the speaker of the poem "My Last Duchess".
5. What kind of man is the Duke?
Ans: The Duke is a proud, possessive and selfish man having keen interest in art.
6. Who is the listener in "My Last Duchess"?
Ans: The listener in "My Last Duchess" is an ambassador of the Count of Tyrol.
7. Who was Fra Pandolf?
Ans: Fra Pandolf is the artist who painted the portrait of the duchess in “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning. He is not a real artist but a fictitious creation of Browning.
8. How does the Duke treat his wife?
Ans: The Duke treats his wife authoritatively as his personal property.
9. How was the heart of the Duchess?
Ans: The heart of the Duchess was capable of being glad and impressed easily.
10. Why did the Duke dislike the Duchess?
Ans: The Duke disliked the Duchess because she ranked his gift with anybody’s gift and used to smile while talking with people.
11. Who is Claus of Innsbruck?
Ans: Claus of Innsbruck is the sculptor who made the bronze sculpture of Neptune for the Duke.
12. Who is Neptune? [NU 2017]
Ans: Neptune is the god of the sea in Roman mythology.
13. What does the statue of Neptune taming a sea-horse symbolize?
Ans: The statue of Neptune taming a sea-horse symbolizes the Duke’s authoritative power and his desire to intimidate everybody around him.
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