My Last Duchess Short Constructed Response

By: Caitlyn Nelson

3. The Duke eliminated (divorced? sent to a convent? had executed or poisoned?) his last duchess because (he felt) she undervalued him and treated him much as she treated other men. Which trivial incidents in particular seem to have produced this response in the Duke?

                I have chosen the third question.  One specific trivial incident would be when Browning stated “Sir ‘twas not her husband’s presence only’ called that spot of joy into the Duchess’ cheek.”  I believe this statement really shows how the Duke feels based on the question.  It also explains his anger with his Duchess and how she paid attention to all the men not only her husband.  He might have poisoned her or divorced her because I didn’t think she was all that loyal to him and that was his way of showing her that you can do that to all men and most will not put up with it.  Also the title leads you to believe that the Duke has had more than one Duchess so in her defense he probably wasn’t very loyal to his wives or they divorced him.  It was implied that he had a picture of her on the wall and that could of meant that she was loved by him a lot and he couldn’t let her go.  She could have also had an affair with another man and he found out so he did something to her even though he loved her he kept her memory alive within his home.