My Last Duchess notes

line-by-line analysis

• that's my last duchess painted on the wall,- possessive pronoun, sounds as if he own her and the picture
• looking as if she were alive. I call- sets sinister tone
• that piece a wonder, now: Fra Pandolf's hands- name of artist. values him more than her
• worked busily a day, and there she stands.-
• will't please you sit and look at her? I said- sounds poltice but actually forceful. doesn't give visitor chance to speak
• 'Fra Pandolf' by design, for never read-
• strangers like you that pictured countenance,- a persons face or expression, support or approval, admit as acceptable or possible
• the depth and passion of its earnest glance,-
• but to myself they turned (since none puts by- controls who looks at her- couldn't when she was alive
• the curtain I have drawn for you, but I)- exercising control- needs to show off
• and seemed as they would ask me, if they durst,- archaic or regional past of dare, showing off power
• how such a glance came there; so, not the first- creates impression of question from visitor, but it's from the duke
• are you to turn and ask thus. Sir 'twas not-
• her husband's presence only, called that spot- repetition shows it bothers him she she blushes, people believes it was not only him who could make her happy, spot is a pun- mark or small amount. not happy
• of joy into the duchess' cheek: perhaps -
• fra pandolf chanced to say 'her mantle laps- a loose sleevless cloak or shawl
• over my lady's wrist too much,' or 'paint-
• must never hope to reproduce the faint-
• half-flush that dies along her throat': such stuff- death, sinister, murder, suspicious, out of place
• was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough-
• for calling up that spot of joy. she had-
• a heart- how shall I say?- too soon made glad,- struggles to express irritation
• too easily impressed; she liked whate'er-
• she looked on, and her looks went everywhere.-
• sir, 'twas all one! my favour at her breast,-
• the dropping of the daylight in the West,-
• the bough of cherries some officious fool- main branch of a tree, assertive of authority in a domineering way, enthusiastic offering help or advice, interfering
• broke in the orchard for her, the white mule-
• she rode with round the terrace- all and each- angry that his expensive gifts meant the same as cheap ones from others
• would draw from her alike the approving speech,-
• or blush, at least. she thanked men, -good! but thanked- lack of control, punctuation and repetition create a stuttering effect, exasperation
• somehow- i know not how- as if she ranked-
• my gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name-
• with anybody's gift. who'd stoop to blame-
• this sort of trifling? even had you skill-
• in speech- (which i have not) - to make your will-
• quite clear to such an one, and say, 'just this-
• or that in your disgusts me; here you miss,-
• or there exceed the mark'- and if she let-
• herself…