Analysis On The Narrator In Browning's "Last Duchess"

By: Lee A. Zito The narrator in "My Last Duchess" immediately relieves his wife is dead, speaking as if to the reader directly. Being a proud braggart he babbles on about how Fra Pandolf painted this portrait of his last Duchess, making it seem as though having something done by this artist is extravagant or high society. He also refers to his guest in condescending ways as to make himself seem more important. The Duke …

…longer stand his wife, and "all smiles stopped together." The Duke had arranged for the death of his wife, his last Duchess. His ego had got the best of him, and if he could not conquer his last Duchess, he would show her who's boss, by killing her. But why the purpose of his narration? To warn his future bride that he is a man who demands all attention, or it may mean her end.