My Last Duchess by Browning: Explore Power, Control, and Psychology

Question 1

The poem's speaker is characterized by his:

Accepted Answer

Possessive and controlling personality

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Humble and apologetic demeanor

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Romantic and idealistic disposition

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Passive and compliant nature

Question 2

The speaker's reference to "Neptune's smile" is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Personification, attributing human qualities to a natural force

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Metaphor, comparing the Duchess's smile to the vastness of the ocean

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Simile, drawing a direct comparison between the Duchess's smile and the sea

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Hyperbole, exaggerating the Duchess's smile for dramatic effect

Question 3

The poem's use of the dramatic monologue form:

Accepted Answer

Allows the reader to identify the biases and unreliability of the speaker

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Provides an objective perspective on the speaker's character

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Reveals the thoughts and emotions of the Duchess directly

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Predicts the inevitable outcome of the speaker's actions

Question 4

The speaker's comment, "I gave commands; then all smiles stopped together" suggests his:

Accepted Answer

Tyrannical and oppressive nature towards those who displease him

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Benevolence and concern for the Duchess's well-being

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Indifference towards the Duchess's fate

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Regret and remorse over his actions that led to her demise

Question 5

The speaker's relationship with the Duchess is best characterized as:

Accepted Answer

Forced compliance and submission, devoid of genuine connection

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Mutual love and respect, based on genuine affection

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Passionate and tempestuous, marked by intense emotions and conflict

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Indifference and apathy, lacking any emotional attachment

Question 6

The speaker's jealousy primarily stems from:

Accepted Answer

His own insecurity and paranoia

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The Duchess's infidelity and betrayal

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The Duchess's superior social status

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The Duchess's physical beauty and allure

Question 7

In "My Last Duchess," how does the Duke reveal his attitude towards his late wife?

Accepted Answer

He shows indifference to her death, viewing her as a possession.

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He expresses deep sorrow and guilt over her death.

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He is tormented by her ghost and feels responsible for her death.

Question 8

In "My Last Duchess", who is the speaker?

Accepted Answer

A wealthy and powerful duke

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A humble servant to the duke

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A painter commissioned to create the duchess's portrait

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A visiting dignitary from a foreign land

Question 9

What is the root cause of the duke's possessive and controlling behavior in the poem?

Accepted Answer

His own insecurities and desire for absolute control

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The duchess's beauty and intelligence

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Her infidelity with the page

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A prophecy predicting his downfall

Question 10

According to the poem, what is the duke's primary consideration when commissioning works of art?

Accepted Answer

He commissions works that serve a specific purpose, such as showcasing his power and status.

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He values only the most expensive and opulent pieces.

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He appreciates art that captures the human form with beauty and emotion.

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He prefers abstract and experimental art that challenges conventional forms.

Question 11

What is the significance of the phrase "nine hundred years of state" in "My Last Duchess"?

Accepted Answer

It symbolizes the duke's ancient lineage and aristocratic pride.

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It highlights the social class difference between the duke and the duchess.

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It foreshadows the duke's eventual downfall and loss of power.

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It emphasizes the duke's obsession with preserving his family's legacy.

Question 12

How does the use of the dramatic monologue form enhance the poem's impact?

Accepted Answer

It allows readers to experience the duke's thoughts and emotions firsthand.

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It creates a sense of distance between the reader and the duke, making his actions more objective.

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It provides a balanced perspective, giving equal weight to both the duke's and the duchess's viewpoints.

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It limits readers' understanding of the poem by presenting only the duke's perspective.

Question 13

Which theme is NOT explored in "My Last Duchess"?

Accepted Answer

The shortcomings of female agency

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The destructive nature of possessiveness

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The dangers of excessive pride and arrogance

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The fragility and transience of human life

Question 14

How does the duke's attitude towards his former wife reveal his character?

Accepted Answer

It exposes his arrogant, possessive, and controlling nature.

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It suggests a deep sense of loss and regret over her death.

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It portrays him as a sympathetic figure who has suffered a tragic loss.

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It raises questions about the reliability of his account of events.

Question 15

Which literary device is a prominent feature in "My Last Duchess"?

Accepted Answer

Imagery and symbolism

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Irony and juxtaposition

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Metaphor and simile

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Alliteration and assonance

Question 16

What is the central conflict that drives the poem's plot?

Accepted Answer

The duke's desire for absolute control versus the duchess's desire for freedom and individuality.

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The duke's jealousy of the page versus his love for the duchess.

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The duke's struggle between his pride and his fear of vulnerability.

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The duke's past mistakes versus his present attempts at redemption.

Question 17

How does the poem "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning reflect the historical and social context of the Victorian era?

Accepted Answer

It highlights the tension between traditional aristocratic values and the rising influence of the middle class due to the Industrial Revolution.

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It celebrates the Romantic ideals of individualism and emotional expression.

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It reflects the Gothic fascination with the supernatural and the occult.

Question 18

How does the speaker's trustworthiness and credibility as a narrator in "My Last Duchess" influence our understanding of the poem?

Accepted Answer

The speaker's credibility is compromised by his evident bias against the Duchess.

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The speaker is highly credible as he presents himself as an objective observer.

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The speaker is a reliable narrator as he provides a detailed and consistent account of events.

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The speaker's credibility is enhanced by his use of persuasive language.

Question 19

In Browning's 'My Last Duchess,' which of the following best describes the Duke's attitude towards his deceased wife?

Accepted Answer

Possessive and Controlling

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Indifferent and Unemotional

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Tolerant and Accepting

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Regretful and Remorseful

Question 20

In the poem 'My Last Duchess,' the significance of the repeatedly mentioned 'nine-hundred-year-old name' is to:

Accepted Answer

Symbolize the Duke's pride in his aristocratic lineage.

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Emphasize the Duchess's youth and vulnerability.

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Represent the Duke's desire for immortality.

Question 21

In 'My Last Duchess,' the frame narrative serves to:

Accepted Answer

Provide context and introduce the Duke as an unreliable narrator.

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Reveal the Duchess's true feelings about her marriage.

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Foreshadow the tragic events that led to the Duchess's death.

Question 22

A central theme explored in Browning's 'My Last Duchess' is:

Accepted Answer

The corrosive effects of jealousy and obsessive control.

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The importance of preserving family traditions.

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The power of love to transcend social barriers.

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The dangers of unchecked ambition.

Question 23

The Duke's description of the Duchess as 'too easily impressed' reveals his:

Accepted Answer

Contempt for her perceived inferiority.

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Admiration for her open-mindedness.

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Concern for her lack of discernment.

Question 24

In 'My Last Duchess,' the line 'She had A heart...how shall I say?--too soon made glad' exemplifies the Duke's:

Accepted Answer

Objectification of the Duchess and his view of her as a mere possession.

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Confusion and uncertainty about his own feelings towards the Duchess.

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Genuine affection for the Duchess and his desire for her happiness.

Question 25

The significance of the portrait in 'My Last Duchess' is that it:

Accepted Answer

Symbolizes the Duke's desire to possess and control the Duchess, even after her death.

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Represents the Duchess's longing for freedom and escape.

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Serves as a reminder of the Duke's love for the Duchess.

Question 26

The use of dramatic monologue in 'My Last Duchess' is effective because it:

Accepted Answer

Provides a deeply personal and subjective perspective on the events and characters.

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Creates a sense of suspense and mystery.

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Allows the reader to remain emotionally detached from the story.

Question 27

The overall tone of 'My Last Duchess' can best be described as:

Accepted Answer

Sinister and unsettling

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Romantic and idealized

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Humorous and satirical

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Poignant and melancholic

Question 28

How does an understanding of the poem's historical context enhance its interpretation?

Accepted Answer

It Provides Insights into Victorian Social Norms and Values

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It Glorifies the Duke's Actions and Justifies His Behavior

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It Has No Significant Bearing on the Poem's Meaning

Question 29

Analyze the Duke's attitude towards his late wife based on the evidence in the poem.

Accepted Answer

Possessive and controlling

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Remorseful and regretful

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Loving and affectionate

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Indifferent and detached

Question 30

Explain the significance of the 'tapestry' imagery in 'My Last Duchess'.

Accepted Answer

It represents the Duke's control over his wife's life and his desire to possess her entirely.

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It foreshadows the Duke's remarriage.

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It depicts the Duchess's beauty and innocence.

Question 31

Identify the central theme explored in Browning's 'My Last Duchess'.

Accepted Answer

The dangers of possessive love and the destructive nature of jealousy

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The nature of marriage and the challenges of maintaining relationships

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The power of art and its influence on human behavior

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The importance of social class and the rigidity of Victorian society

Question 32

Analyze the Duke's use of the word 'rare' to reveal his attitude towards his late wife.

Accepted Answer

He sees her as an object of value and admiration, emphasizing her exclusive and desirable qualities.

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He genuinely cherishes her.

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He acknowledges her uniqueness and individuality.

Question 33

Describe the purpose of the 'aside' in the poem and explain its significance.

Accepted Answer

To reveal the Duke's inner thoughts and true feelings, creating a contrast between his public persona and his private nature.

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To introduce a new character into the story.

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To foreshadow events that will happen later in the poem.

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To provide comic relief and lighten the poem's tone.

Question 34

Discuss how the poem's rhyme scheme contributes to its overall meaning and atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

It creates a sense of formality and control, reflecting the Duke's character and his desire to maintain order and dominance.

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It has no significant impact on the poem's meaning.

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It enhances the dramatic structure and tension.

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It expresses the Duke's emotional turmoil.

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the Victorian era that is reflected in 'My Last Duchess'?

Accepted Answer

Optimism and belief in progress

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Exploration of social issues and injustices

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Emphasis on etiquette and social conventions

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Idealization of women and their virtue

Question 36

Explain how the poem's setting contributes to the atmosphere and tone of 'My Last Duchess'.

Accepted Answer

The isolated and confined setting, such as the private chamber or art gallery, creates a sense of secrecy, tension, and psychological entrapment.

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It symbolizes the grandeur and opulence of the Duke's wealth and status.

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It has no significant impact on the poem's atmosphere.

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It foreshadows the tragic events that will unfold.

Question 37

How does the poem challenge traditional gender roles and expectations?

Accepted Answer

It presents a complex and unconventional portrayal of masculinity, showing that men can be possessive, controlling, and even violent towards women.

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It suggests that women are responsible for their own victimization.

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It reinforces traditional gender stereotypes.

Question 38

Which of the following is the central theme explored in Browning's "My Last Duchess"?

Accepted Answer

The complex dynamics of power, control, and possession within a marriage

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The importance of preserving one's legacy

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The destructive nature of unrequited love

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The ephemeral nature of beauty and youth

Question 39

The Duke's obsessive display of the Last Duchess's portrait reveals his:

Accepted Answer

Desire to exert control over her memory and legacy

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Pride in his collection of valuable possessions

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Appreciation for the beauty and artistry of the portrait

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Sincere grief and longing for his deceased wife

Question 40

The poem is written in the form of a:

Accepted Answer

Dramatic Monologue

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Narrative Poem with a clear plot and resolution

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Lyric Poem expressing the speaker's personal thoughts and emotions

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Sonnet adhering to a specific rhyme scheme and structure

Question 41

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Victorian poetry?

Accepted Answer

Dull and uninspired content lacking emotional depth

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Emphasis on adherence to traditional poetic forms and structures

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Exploration of social and political issues affecting Victorian society

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Elaborate use of metaphors, similes, and other rhetorical devices

Question 42

The Duke's attitude towards his late wife can be described as:

Accepted Answer

Arrogant, dismissive, and subtly threatening

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Mournful, nostalgic, and filled with regret

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Respectful, admiring, and cherishing her memory

Question 43

The poem's setting is deliberately left:

Accepted Answer

Vague and unspecified, contributing to the poem's sense of mystery and ambiguity

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Symbolic of the Duke's inner turmoil, reflecting his psychological state

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Clearly defined in time and place, providing a specific historical and cultural context

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Influenced by the conventions of courtly love, evoking a sense of romance and chivalry

Question 44

The poem's dramatic irony lies in the:

Accepted Answer

Discrepancy between the Duke's self-serving narrative and the reader's understanding of his true character and motivations

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Unexpected plot twist that alters the reader's perspective

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Irony arising from the Duke's unawareness of the reader's knowledge

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Use of foreshadowing to predict future events in the story

Question 45

What is the speaker's primary motivation for revealing the story of the Duchess to the envoy?

Accepted Answer

To demonstrate his power and control over the Duchess.

Answer

To warn the envoy about the dangers of female independence.

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To express his grief and sorrow over her passing.

Question 46

What literary device is primarily used in the poem to reveal the speaker's character and motivations?

Accepted Answer

Dramatic monologue

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Sonnet

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Free verse

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Epic

Question 47

The line "That's my last Duchess painted on the wall" suggests which aspect of the speaker's character?

Accepted Answer

Possessiveness and a desire to control his wife.

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Remorse for his actions towards the Duchess.

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Artistic appreciation for the Duchess' beauty.

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Affectionate remembrance of his late wife.

Question 48

How does the Duke's use of language, particularly his frequent interruptions, contribute to the poem's meaning?

Accepted Answer

It highlights his controlling and manipulative nature, silencing the Duchess' voice.

Answer

It reveals his deep emotional turmoil and regret.

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It creates a sense of empathy and understanding for the Duke's perspective.

Question 49

Which of the following is NOT a significant theme explored in "My Last Duchess"?

Accepted Answer

The importance of social status and class.

Answer

The psychological complexities of possessiveness.

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The nature of power and control in relationships.

Question 50

The poem's ending, with the Duke calling for the "fra Pandolf" to be brought in, suggests:

Accepted Answer

The Duke's intention to continue controlling the narrative and potentially arranging another marriage.

Answer

The Duke's remorse for his actions and a desire for forgiveness.

Question 51

What is the overall tone of "My Last Duchess"?

Accepted Answer

Dark and menacing, highlighting the speaker's chilling possessiveness.

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Romantic and melancholic, reflecting the speaker's grief over the Duchess.

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Humorous and satirical, revealing the speaker's flaws through his own words.