Robert Browning: Poems

My Last Duchess

Which of the descriptions of the duke in “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning is an accurate example of an ironic contradiction in his personality?

sense of self-importance and respect for the count apparent wealth and lack of interest in a large dowry cultured manners and evil nature ordering the duchess’s murder and being in love
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Last updated by judy t #197809
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I think your last choice with cultured manner and evil nature works the best. We typically do not associate manners and culture with evil. The Duke thinks so much of himself and expects the Last Duchess to only be friendly to him; when she is an "equal-opportunity smiler," he cannot deal with it and so the beauty of the painting contrasts to the evil act which he orders when he has her killed.

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