Use of Irony, Diction, and Imagery in My Last Duchess :: Robert Browning, My Last Duchess

In his melo outstanding monologue, Robert Browning uses irony, diction, and imagery to come across a haunting effect.Robert Browning frequently wrote dramatic monologues to enhance the nefariousness and avaricious qualities in his works. Brownings use of this particular style is to evoke the unconstrained reaction of a person in aparticular situation or crisis (Napierkowski 170). A verse may say one thing, but when mixed with dramatic monologue, it may present a meaning at odds with the speakers innovation(Napierkowski 170). This change may show the reader more insight into the poem without directly stating the underlying facts. The reader is allowed to isolate a single spot in which the character reveals himself more starkly (Napierkowski 171). Brownings use of dramatic monologue disposes the reader to suspend moral judgement (Napierkowski 171) causing a reserve to hover over many of his works.Browning uses irony in coupling with dramatic monologue to produce a sinister an d domineering effect. Irony, ofttimes like dramatic monologue, can make the reader question the dependable underlying meaning of the passage. This brief confusion causes an eeriness to be brought more or less in the work. In My blend in Duchess, verbal irony is demonstrated when the Duke says to his guests, all the same had you skill in speech . . . which I have not(35-36). passim the poem the Duke proves that he is quite a polished speaker(Markley172). The Duke is not a modest man, but him making this seemingly humble statement in the midst of all his power stricken remarks establishes situational irony. Dramatic monologue can make an unforseen ironic statement have an ominous surround that totally encompasses the readers attention. An individual may initially become very crazy if an unannounced late night visitor knocked on their door, just as the Dukes unanticipated remark brought a weary feeling to the reader.Throughout My Last Duchess, Browning uses diction to further increase the haunting effect of his dramatic monologue. His precise and scattered word choice is meant to make the reader choose the underlying haughtiness in his speech to the Counts emissary. The Duke refers to his former wifes portraits depth and ire in order to place a cloudiness over the naive realism of the painting. This, along with the faint and half-flush manner that dies along her throat, brings about an overcast appearance to the poem. The Dukes trifling lack of countenance is evident in his jealousy ofthe Duchesss kind-heartedness toward others. Her benevolence disgusts the Duke, and causes him to stoop down to spouting off commands in her direction.