Case Study #9: My Last Duchess by Robert Browning

The poem is the duke’s side of a conversation about the duchess with an emissary who has come representing a family potentially interested in having their daughter marry the duke and become his next duchess.The duke and duchess rule the mythical duchy of Ferrara in an Italy of long ago. That makes them the executive officers, chief administrators, and designated heads of government over the people within the duchy: A pair of top cats. For us, what is interesting about this pair is the strong contrast of their leadership styles. The duke is autocratic and direct; the duchess he describes is quite the opposite — and, at least for the duke, unsettlingly effective. Through his conversation, the duke gives us many clues with regard to how they both rule. Who do you think is the better leader?