Summary of My Last Duchess by Robert Browning
The Duke's Introduction to the Portrait: The dramatic monologue opens with the Duke of Ferrara showing a visitor—a representative of a Count whose daughter the Duke intends to marry—a portrait of his late wife, the Duchess. The Duke invites the emissary to sit and observe the painting, which is displayed behind a curtain. This curtain, the Duke explains, is something only he can draw, emphasizing his control over who views the Duchess even after her death. The Duchess's Joyful Disposition: As the Duke begins to describe the Duchess, he reveals his dissatisfaction with her personality. He criticizes her for being too easily pleased and for showing joy and gratitude to everyone around her, regardless of their social standing. The Duke was offended that she treated his "nine-hundred-years-old name" with the same casual appreciation she gave to a sunset or a simple gift. He felt that her appreciation for all things, including trivial matters, was an insult to his noble st…