Mr P!
This is Harry from England. I really struggle with English writing and therefore I'm finding it difficult to complete our recent coursework assignment.
Compare Robert Browning 'My Last Duchess' to William Shakespeares 'Sonnet 130' Were comparing Mens attitude to women in the pre 1914 era.
This is what I've done so far however we have to write about 2-3 sides!:
Women’s roles have changed from being objects of possession in the 1914 era to being regarded as standard individuals in the current 21st century era. In Robert Browning’s ‘My Last Duchess’, set in the Italian Renaissance period, a clear impression is given of the women are inferior to men by using such as ‘I’, ‘My’ and ‘Mine’ and not considering his last duchess that ‘used’ to be in his life. ‘My Last Duchess’ is in the form of a dramatic monologue because he is revealing his personal feelings throughout the poem to the reader. Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnet 130’ distinguishes from this by focusing on a woman’s natural beauty, however being realistic which produces a harsh attitude.
Robert Browning’s ‘My Last Duchess’ is structured using heroic couplets with almost continuous enjambment.
‘My Last Duchess’ begins with the line 'Ferrara’ before the monologue starts indicating that the poem is narrated by the Duke of Ferrara: already this proves his importance despite the eponymous title referring to the duchess. The Duke of Ferrara at the age of 25 married a 14 year old girl Lucrezia de'Medici this is whom he regards as him ‘Last Duchess’ at the age of 17 Lucrezia de'Medici died and there was a strong suspicion of poisoning. ‘Looking as if she were alive’ this quote confirms her death and also by the suggested tone that the duke may have commited this murder.
The first line of ‘My Last Duchess’ produces an arrogrant attitude. The first two words of this sentence tells us something different about the duke. ‘My’ this shows arrogrance and the type of attitude he had towards his wife. ‘Last’ this tells us about the dukes way of life and proclaims that he has always had a wife to admire. ‘That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall’ This comes across as a casual attitude towards the reader almost as if he is bragging about her, this also shows he is treating her as a thing of possesion. Line two ‘Looking as if she were alive’ gives out suspicion that his ‘Last Duchess’ is dead. Browning also makes the comment ‘I call that piece a wonder now’ with emphasis on the ‘now’ he is giving the impression that the only time he has ever loved her is when he sees her picture on the wall.
If you could help it would be excellent. It is in for Wednesday 23rd May (Also my birthday!)