Browning's "My Last Duchess" is a dramatic monologue between the Duke of Ferrera and a king's advisor. They are having a conversation about the final arrangements that are being made for the Duke's marriage. During the monologue, the Duke is showing off his castle and he comes across his former queen's portrait which is hidden behind a curtain that only he is to open. The Duke begins to converse about his previous marriage and in this conversation he lets his personality shine through. .
The Duke is an extremely jealous and possessive man. He constantly complains about his former wife and marriage. He hated that she was pleased with everything equally: "She had a heart- how shall I say? - too soon made glad- (520. 20-23) He wanted her to smile for him and not for anything or anyone else. He felt that he should be the only one in her life to cause any sort of joy or happiness. He complained that she had a wandering eye and this infuriated him. Therefore, he decided to put an end to this dilemma. The Duke boasts, "This grew, I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together." (520. 45-46) The Duke had his wife murdered. .
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The Duke's psychotic behavior was motivated by jealousy. He had to always be in the spotlight. When the queen didn't give him the attention that he so terribly demanded, his ego was hurt and he couldn't tolerate it. The duke was conceited, obsessive, arrogant, and worse of all murderous! Yet, he believed that his behavior was not only right but that it was also proper. .
The fact that the Duke reveals his story to the king's advisor is incredibly ironic. One would think that the Duke would try to put his best foot forward. Instead he tells a horrible story to the person who will make a judgment on the future husband of the king's daughter. He lets him know that he will not permit anyone to make a fool out of him. Furthermore, he refers to his last duchess as an object and a part of business rather than the woman he loved.
