I need help with a character analysis of Duke from this poem. I read it over and over and over and can't seem to write anything. Thanks!!!
2007-12-03 15:21:24 · 6 answers · asked by Newground 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Think about what he says about his late wife. "She had a heart [...] too soon made glad". What does that say to you? Do you think he liked her looking around, smiling at other men, enjoying when they flattered her?
Think also about these verses:
--- 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)
He keeps her curtained so none may see her without his permission.
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.
E'en then would be some stooping; and I choose
Never to stoop.
Pride?
I hope this starts you off. I won't do a complete analysis for you. Good luck.
2007-12-03 15:37:49 · answer #1 · answered by bow_song 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was the kind of character Vincent Price would have played! Refined and heartless. I just hope that the title of the poem turned out to be appropriate in a way the Duke didn't consider--that the messenger was so chilled that he went back to "the count [his] master" and reported, "Sir, whatever you do, don't let your daughter marry that man!" and the duchess painted on the wall was truly his LAST.
Other things to add to the image of pride, arrogance and possessiveness: She rode her mule only "round the courtyard," not over the countryside. Fra Pandalf had only one day to complete the painting. The Duke is interested in the dowery of the count's daughter, but chiefly in her self--I divided the word deliberately, to show that he's interested in possessing her. And finally, there's "Neptune . . . TAMING a seahorse . . . , which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for ME."
2007-12-04 00:15:46 · answer #2 · answered by aida 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So what do you think happened to his last duchess? Do you think she simply fell off a horse? Do you think he's more comfortable with her portrait than with the actual living duchess? If you've read it over and over, this should be enough for you to come up with something more insightful.
2007-12-03 23:32:58 · answer #3 · answered by psyduck713nyc 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The basic point is you can appreciate art and still be an evil bastard. Like those SS men listening to Beethoven after a hard day's murdering.
2007-12-04 11:02:52 · answer #4 · answered by gravybaby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anyone willing to accept the death of someone he supposedly "loves" over a perceived slight and astronomical jealousy probably isn't too sane...
2007-12-04 00:05:01 · answer #5 · answered by Raiveran Rabbit 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
control freak sums it up really.read it with that in mind and see what you think.
2007-12-03 23:50:03 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋