Explain the following extracts with reference to the context: Oh, sir, she smiled, no doubt,
Explain the following extracts with reference to the context:
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.
Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “My Last Duchess” written by Robert Browning.
Context:
Robert Browning has written this poem in this poem in the form of a dramatic monologue. In the poem, a duke is addressing an emissary(messenger) who came to talk about the duke’s second marriage. The duke is showing him the palace, they reached a point where there was a panting of the last duchess the duke starts the description of panting. He then talks about the personality of his wife. The duke says that she was a very Jolly person and she would easily become happy. Duke further says that how cheap or expensive a gift you gave her, her reaction would be the same. The duke was uncomfortable about her behaviour. He wants her to be a perfectionist he wanted special treatment from her. Unfortunately, the duchess behaviour always stays even after the speech by the duke.
Explanation:
The duke could not tolerate the same treatment of his wife to everyone. She would give smile with the same intensity to everyone even the duke. When the duke failed to control her he gave command of her assassination and she was being killed that’s why he says, Then all smiles stopped together” Now they were looking at her beautiful painting.
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