My Last Duchess — Lesson 4

Students read and analyze lines 31–43 of “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning (from “She thanked men,—good! but thanked / Somehow—I know not how” to “E’en then would be some stooping; and I choose / Never to stoop”), in which the Duke states that he never “stooped” to blame the Duchess for her actions. Student learning is assessed via a Quick Write at the end of the lesson: How does Browning further develop the character of the Duke in lines 34–43? Lesson 4 in Google Docs format

1. Discussion

What does the reader learn about the characters of the Duke and the Duchess in lines 29–34? What is left uncertain about the Duke and Duchess in these lines?

2. Review Vocabulary

Add the following vocabulary words and definitions to your journal:

  1. trifling (n.)
  2. forsooth (adv.)
  3. stoop (v.)
  4. will (n.)
  5. lessoned (v.)

3. Listen / Read Along


  • Listen to a reading of “My Last Duchess,” lines 31–43 (from “She thanked men,—good! but thanked / Somehow” to “E’en then would be some stooping; and I choose / Never to stoop”). Instruct students to focus on how Browning develops the Duke’s character.

4. Answer questions

Answers can be simple phrases, you do not need to use full sentences — I’m primarily assessing your comprehension of the text.
lines 31-35

  1. Consider the definition of trifling. To what “trifling” (line 35) is the Duke referring?

  2. How does the Duke describe his response to the Duchess’s “trifling” (line 35)?

  3. What does it mean to stoop? What does the word mean in this context?
  4. What does the word stoop suggest about how the Duke views the Duchess?

lines 35-43

  1. What does the Duke say about his own speaking ability?
  2. What does the language of the poem suggest about the Duke’s speaking ability? What specific details and examples illustrate his speaking ability?
  3. What inference can be made about the Duke based on what he says about his speaking ability?
  4. To whom does the Duke refer as “such an one” in line 37?
  5. What is the meaning of the word will on line 36?
  6. What is the Duke’s will? How does this contribute to the Duke’s development as a character?
  7. What is the meaning of lessoned as Browning uses it in line 40?
  8. Paraphrase lines 35–43 (from “Even had you skill / In speech” to “and I choose / Never to stoop”).
  9. How do specific words or phrases in the Duke’s statement, “I choose / Never to stoop” (lines 42–43) impact the meaning or tone of the text?
  10. How does the repetition of stoop contribute to the Duke’s development as a character?

5. Short essay response (quick write)

  • Lesson 4. How does Browning further develop the character of the Duke in lines 34–43?

Look at your notes or the text itself to find evidence. Include this lesson’s vocabulary wherever possible to develop the topic through the use of well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient evidence. Use your Short Response Rubric and Checklist to guide your written responses. Share your responses ( eharris@tec-coop.org )!
 

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