Italians and Englishmen

Elizabethean dramatic poetry assisted the English language as it awakened a certain consciousness within it. Language in literature became “rich and alive” as “the world is a text”(Lecture: 01/17). Representation of the times became important with elaborate costumes and visuals to unify theatre and literature.
Comedy and Tragedy are examples of dramatic poetry.

The following is an example of a dramatic monologue which comes from Robert Browning’s “My last Dutchess”:

That's my last Duchess painted on the wall,
Looking as if she were alive. I call
That piece a wonder, now: Fra Pandolf's hands
Worked busily a day, and there she stands.
Will't please you sit and look at her? I said
"Fra Pandolf" by design, for never read
Strangers like you that pictured countenance,
The depth and passion of its earnest glance,
But to myself they turned (since none puts by
The curtain I have drawn for you, but I)
And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst,
How such a glance came there; so, not the first
Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, 'twas not
Her husband's presence only, called that spot
Of joy into the Duchess' cheek: perhaps
Fra Pandolf chanced to say "Her mantle laps
Over my lady's wrist too much," or "Paint
Must never hope to reproduce the faint
Half-flush that dies along her throat": such stuff
Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough
For calling up that spot of joy. She had
A heart---how shall I say?---too soon made glad,
Too easily impressed; she liked whate'er
She looked on, and her looks went everywhere.
Sir, 'twas all one! My favour at her breast,
The dropping of the daylight in the West,
The bough of cherries some officious fool
Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule
She rode with round the terrace---all and each
Would draw from her alike the approving speech,
Or blush, at least. She thanked men,---good! but thanked
Somehow---I know not how---as if she ranked
My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name
With anybody's gift. Who'd stoop to blame
This sort of trifling? Even had you skill
In speech---(which I have not)---to make your will
Quite clear to such an one, and say, "Just this
Or that in you disgusts me; here you miss,
Or there exceed the mark"---and if she let
Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly set
Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made excuse,
---E'en then would be some stooping; and I choose
Never to stoop. Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt,
Whene'er I passed her; but who passed without
Much the same smile? This grew; I gave commands;
Then all smiles stopped together. There she stands
As if alive. Will't please you rise? We'll meet
The company below, then. I repeat,
The Count your master's known munificence
Is ample warrant that no just pretence
Of mine for dowry will be disallowed;
Though his fair daughter's self, as I avowed
At starting, is my object. Nay, we'll go
Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though,
Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity,
Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me!


This poem is a classic example of a monologue and grammatically uses poetic structures such as enjambment, and the speaker is identified as being separate from the poet. The character of the Duke is seen as ‘ridiculous’ as his personality is slightly off-colour. He mimics other characters, imitates them, suggests situations which are not evident (all which suggest irony to the audience as the reader is clearly able to see truth while he does not have the capability to see past his madness).

This poem places emphasis on aesthetic value and explores issues of sex and violence as the idea of self-consciousness and immorality are heightened as the Dutchess is punished for her sexual exploration.
Her husband's presence only, called that spot Of joy into the Duchess' cheek: perhaps Fra Pandolf chanced to say "Her mantle laps
Over my lady's wrist too much,"

As this poem is a monologue, the audience could consider that the “madness” and anger came from a ‘war of consciousnesses’ in the characters mind.

The poem places emphasis on the word “last” implying that the Duke is in the midst of finishing with one, and is in search of another Dutchess. This adds a certain element to the poem as it demonstrates the treatment of women and the way in which feminine qualities are appreciated and/or abused.

Irony is evident that while the Duke is in constant conversation with himself, and the audience is able to see the value of the entire situation and piece together another level of psychology that exists in the context, we see humour in his madness and irrationality. The fact that men are attracted to female sexuality, yet become engaged in an ever-constant battle to conserve these qualities.