In What Ways Does Brownings use of the First Person Narrative in his :: English Literature

In What Ways Does Brownings use of the First Person Narrative in hisDramatic Monologues Help to Reveal the Thoughts and Feelings of hisCharacters?Robert Browning was a highly respected Victorian poet. He lived from1812-1889. Browning eloped with and married the daughter of a familyTyrant, Elizabeth Barrett. They sleep withd each(prenominal) other until death partedthem and both poets wrote moving love poetry, having experienced thehappiness of true love for themselves.The two poems I shall study in this sample give a whole different sideto Brownings poetry and a whole different view of love. Both of themhave little to do with love as most of us would understand it, yetboth give very interesting studies of two contrasting characters.Browning uses the first person in his poetry to reveal the thoughtsand feelings of his characters, and does this very effectively.The poem My Last Duchess gives us a complete character study of aRenaissance nobleman. Although he never negotiation direct ly about himselfin his narrative, the Duke reveals a lot about his personality it ismade quite obvious that he is a very proud, arrogant and self-centredperson. The poem is written as a monologue given by the Duke to aservant of a prospective new wife of his. He drops baneful hints to saythat his prospective wife will have to behave in a way he sees fit,casually sayingThats my last Duchess painted on the wall,Looking as if she were aliveHe also twice mentions how the painting is by Fr Pandolf. Thisname-dropping reveals that he is arrogant. He obviously wants theservant to aver some sort of praise about the painting as he askshim, Willt please you sit and look at her? He obviously likes to bein control seen as he keeps a picture one presumes he would likeeveryone to see behind a curtain, so that men that he doesnt give care tolook at her cant. He went to the sitting for the painting because hewas so jealous. He makes this clear by sayingSir, twas notHer Husbands presence only, ca lled that spotOf enjoyment into the Duchess cheekHe disliked the way she took pleasure from all things. He consideredthat this meant she saw him to be as important as her white mule or abeautiful sunset. One wonders if he was possibly quite an insecureman, seen as he could not believe, She thanked men. I think onewould think this of both man who was jealous of a sunset He seems tothink it a disgrace that he didnt think she appreciated the title he