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My Last Duchess 35641 Views


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Description:

It can never hurt to have a few spare duchesses lying around the house.

Language:
English Language

Transcript

00:04

My Last Duchess, a la Shmoop. Every couple has issues in their relationship.

00:09

Maybe the man likes to leave the toilet seat up...

00:12

...and maybe the woman hogs the remote so she can binge on "Cupcake Wars."

00:15

Or maybe it's the other way around. In the poem "My Last Duchess," by Robert Browning...

00:20

...a duke and his wife have some serious relationship problems.

00:24

What was so awful about the duchess that her husband felt compelled to... get rid of her?

00:30

Well, the duchess was an annoyingly positive person. Have you ever met someone who is bright

00:35

and happy and cheerful all the time?

00:39

Have you ever wanted to hide in your blanket fort and sulk in response?

00:42

Maybe the duke didn't have a blanket fort. Second possibility: The duchess flirted with

00:48

men left and right, which made the duke jealous.

00:55

Perhaps the duke thought that if his wife wouldn't love and cherish only him...

00:59

...he shouldn't have to love and cherish her.

01:01

But... the duke is a meanie who couldn't bear not being able to control his wife's emotions.

01:06

As a nobleman with an ancient title, lots of cash, and great taste in art...

01:11

...the duke exerts control over his dukedom, and everyone and everything in it.

01:16

When he couldn't control the duchess' feelings, the duke decided his wife had to go.

01:21

So, what might the duke's motive have been for ridding himself of his duchess?

01:25

Was it her eternally positive attitude?

01:29

Was it her flirtatiousness?

01:30

Or is the duke just... a psychotic jerk? Shmoop amongst yourselves.

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