My Last Duchess

: ? ( )

themes

Power of humans

Memory

Pride

Identity

Variety of punctuation helps explore the fragmented nature of the Duke's feelings

Brackets used to perhaps conceal something, suggesting he is guilty of something

'my last duchess'

'neptune'

1st and last lines are about his possessions

Almost like he's enclosing his wife between his other possessions

'i gave commands'

'stoop'

Power

Seems to be a euphemism for his wife's murder

Cold and cynical

Possessive pronoun

Repetition

Hints at how the Duke felt his wife was beneath him

Emphasises his power