How does Browning shape our reaction to the Duke in 'My Last Duchess'? Our initial reaction to the Duke is formed before we've even finished reading the second line of the poem. The Duke says: 'That's my last Duchess painted on the wall, Looking as if she were alive...' In this line we first get a sense of how the Duke thinks of the Duchess. If he had any remotely warm feelings to her …
showed first 75 words of 1478 total

showed last 75 words of 1478 total
…together.' This repetition of 's' makes the phrase seem powerful and forceful, which reflects the sentiment behind the Duke's words. This poem is written in rhyming couplets and the result of this is that they seem to represent the Duke having control over the Duchess, and also perhaps that Browning has control over the Duke. This is something that the reader does not notice, but it is always there, subtly suggesting a power struggle.