Exploring My Last Duchess

What is the main motivation behind the Duke’s decision to show the portrait of his last Duchess to his guest?

• He wants to boast about his wealth.

• He wishes to control how others see her and reveal his power.

• He is seeking sympathy for his loss.

• He is trying to sell the painting.

Which theme is most strongly represented in “My Last Duchess”?

• The beauty of nature

• The dangers of unchecked power and jealousy

• The importance of friendship

• The value of education

What does the curtain in front of the Duchess’s portrait symbolise?

• The Duke’s desire for privacy

• The Duke’s control over the Duchess, even after her death

• The Duchess’s shyness

• The passage of time

How would you best describe the tone of the Duke’s speech in the poem?

• Joyful and light-hearted

• Calm but sinister

• Frightened and anxious

• Humorous and playful

Which poetic device is most prominent in the line: “That piece a wonder, now: Fra Pandolf’s hands / Worked busily a day, and there she stands”?

• Simile

• Enjambment

• Alliteration

• Onomatopoeia

What is the Duke’s main complaint about the Duchess’s behaviour?

• She was unfaithful to him.

• She was too easily pleased and treated everyone equally.

• She was too quiet and reserved.

• She spent too much money.

Which historical context is important for understanding “My Last Duchess”?

• The Victorian era’s views on women and marriage

• The Industrial Revolution’s impact on art

• The rise of democracy in Britain

• The discovery of America

What mood is created by the Duke’s description of the Duchess’s smile?

• Hopeful and uplifting

• Unsettling and chilling

• Excited and energetic

• Bored and uninterested

Which of the following best summarises the key idea of “My Last Duchess”?

• The importance of art in society

• The destructive nature of pride and possessiveness

• The joy of marriage

• The value of forgiveness

What does the Duke’s reference to “Neptune... Taming a sea-horse” at the end of the poem suggest?

• His love for animals

• His desire to dominate and control

• His interest in mythology

• His fear of the sea