The reader is directed to imagine the Duke walking with the envoy through his art gallery and the Duke stops to show him a painting of his last Duchess that is presently covered by a curtain. “Since none puts by / the curtain I have drawn for you, but I” (9-10). This curtain is the first reference to the Dukes selfish, jealous, and protective traits. The Duke uses the curtain as a method of controlling his wife, even after her death. Other men admiring her beauty was unacceptable, so by hiding the painting behind a curtain, he controls who is allowed to gaze upon her. “Sir, ‘twas not / her h

Though his fair daughter’s self, as I avowed

usband’s presence only, called that spot / of joy into the Duchess’ cheek” (13-15). The Duke mentions the blush on the cheek that the duchess has in the painting and assumes that Frà Pandolf, the painter, was attracted to the Duchess and possibly paid her a compliment.

Over my lady’s wrist too much,’ or ‘Paint

Would draw from her alike the approving speech,

Of mine for dowry will be disallowed;

The Duke felt that any pleasure she experienced should be drawn from him and that he should be the one single object of importance to her. This demonstrates his conceited nature that he should be the only focus of her life. “Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt, / whene’er I passed her; but who passed without / much the same smile” (43-45)? The Duke views the Duchess as someone who would be courteous to all no matter what status they held. He does not share this opinion with the Duchess and he feels that no one of lower status should even be noticed. “She thanked men,--good; but thanked / somehow…I know not how…” (31-32). The Duke assumes that the Duchess gave men favors of herself and accuses her of being unfaithful to him. This reveals his jealousy towards other men and his paranoia that his wife would behave in such adulterous conduct.

Some topics in this essay:
Duke Duchess, Duke Counts, Ferrara Italy, Frà Pandolf, Robert Browning’s, Duchess Duke, Alfonso II, selfish jealous protective, assumes frà, assumes frà pandolf, center universe, jealous protective, sea horse, frà pandolf, traits duke, wife control, duke assumes, duke represents, selfish jealous, Duke Ferrara, rejoin company below, mentions envoy rejoin, envoy rejoin company,