My Last Duchess Essay Example

My Last Duchess Essay My Last Duchess When reading My Last Duchess at first it was quite confusing. The narrator doesnt finish his thoughts at the ending of every line which kept me guessing and trying to piece it all together. After reading it the third time I finally came to understand exactly what he was trying to say. The narrator was a troubled powerful man who was showing Offa piece of art to another man, but little did he know at first what exactly that painting meant. First, I would like to describe a little bit about the poem. The narrator was a Duke, and his last duchess was a beautiful young woman, but she as too intrigued by everything she saw. She was also, too nice in his eyes, because the smile she always gave him for his brilliance, he could see she would also give it to the world. In the beginning of the poem the narrator is already speaking toa man and showing off his painting on the wall done by Fra Pandolf. He makes sure he states the artist name because he know he will soon be asked the question of how he captured such a wonderful painting. The Duke goes on to say: How such a glance came there; so, not the first Are you to turn and ask thus. We will write a custom essay sample on My Last Duchess specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on My Last Duchess specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on My Last Duchess specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Sir, twas not Her husbands presence only, called that spot Of Joy into the Duchess cheek: perhaps Fra Pandolf chanced to say Her mantle laps Over my ladys wrist too much, or Paint Must never hope to reproduce the faint Half-flush that dies along her throat: such stuff Was courtesy, she thought, and cause enough For calling up that spot of Joy. (12-21) The Duke is there stating how he knows his duchess was so naive and so delighted by such flirting and by a man Just simply being nice enough to give her a compliment that she would suddenly blush and smile. You can then come to see that the narrator is a Jealous man and probably insecure as well. He did not like to share, nor did he like to be belittled or made a fool. I wouldnt say that he was a bad man, but more of a complicated soul. Why? He says: Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt, Wheneer I passed her; but who passed without Much the same smile? (43-45) Those words are clearly stating his trouble with Jealousy. He needs to be in control and the one and only. Possession even comes to mind. Because of such Jealousy, and such pride he let it all get the best of him. He is a moral man and in high command. Such high command that he knows of what his powers allow him to do. Which such power shows that he is unsympathetic. I believe his biggest conflict throughout the poem was him coming to realize what exactly he had done, and why exactly he had done it. By saying the words out loud and hearing them being spoken he could see what kind of man he truly was, or at least I could. He didnt know how to control his duchess of being such an intrigued naive beauty, nor did he know how to deal with it emotionally and mentally. Which leads me to the ending of the poem, while the duke and explaining how he lost the first one. I quote, Robert Brownings states in the following lines, This grew; I gave commands; Then all smiles stopped together. (45-46) Here he shows his power and his Jealousy. He says how he gave commands to have her killed so that her beautiful smile which she gave to all who intrigued her would no longer be. This was his way of keeping himself sane and at peace and to know he had the last say, he control over her. I guess you could call this man in love, and one who is troubled in his own green monster of Jealousy. Up until that last part, which I stated above, I thought of him as a troubled man, in love, and confused on how to handle his Jealousy. I didnt think of his as cruel or crazy, Just a little thoughtless, which is ironic because clearly he gave a lot of thought in his last commands. The part of the poem which made me think of his being a little crazy was the ending of the poem, where he switches off like a light. Stating: There she stands As if alive. Willt please you rise? Well meet The company below, then Nay, well go Together down, sir. Notice Neptune, though, Taming a sea-horse, thought a rarity, Which Claus of Innsbruck cast in bronze for me! (46-56) He is there, reminiscing almost, about his old beautiful wife, in front of the man who is negotiating his new marriage to another young girl, and you can see how he pours his old life out to this man and then completely Just stops and starts to talk about a meaning sculpture as if nothing has happened, as if he didnt have his last wife killed. That is what made be believe he is almost heartless. My Last Duchess Essay Example My Last Duchess Paper Robert Browning’s â€Å"My Last Duchess† Published 1842 Our world is changing and evolving at an astounding rate. Within the last 200 years, we have seen two World Wars and countless disputes over false borders created by colonialists, slavery, and every horrid form of human suffering imaginable!! Human lifestyles and cultures are changing every minute. While our grandparents and ancestors were growing up, do you ever think they imagined the world we live in today? What is to come is almost inconceivable to us now. In this world, the only thing we can be sure of is that things will change. With all of these transformations occurring, it is a wonder that a great poet like Robert Browning may write words so many years ago, that are still relevant to you and I in todays modern society. Browning’s first dramatic monologue â€Å"My last duchess† was written during the Italian Renaissance when egotism, marriage and aristocracy influenced the society. The monologue is loosely based on historical events involving Alfonso, the Duke of Ferrara, who lived in the 16th century. The Duke is the reciter of the monologue, and tells us he is entertaining an emissary who has come to negotiate the Duke’s marriage (he has recently been widowed) to the daughter of another powerful family. As he shows the visitor through his palace, he stops before a portrait of the late Duchess, apparently a young and lovely girl. The Duke begins reminiscing about the portrait sessions, then about the Duchess herself. We will write a custom essay sample on My Last Duchess specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on My Last Duchess specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on My Last Duchess specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer His musings give way to a diatribe on her disgraceful behaviour: he claims she flirted with everyone and did not appreciate his â€Å"gift of a nine-hundred-years- old name. † As his monologue continues, the reader realizes with ever-more chilling certainty that the Duke in fact caused the Duchess’s early demise: when her behaviour escalated, â€Å"[he] gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together. † But Browning has more in mind than simply creating a colourful character and placing him in a picturesque historical scene. Rather, the specific historical setting of the poem harbours much significance: the Italian Renaissance held a particular fascination for Browning and his contemporaries, for it represented the flowering of the aesthetic and the human alongside, or in some cases in the place of, the religious and the moral. Thus the temporal setting allows Browning to again explore sex, violence, and aesthetics as all entangled, complicating and confusing each other: the lushness of the language belies the fact that the Duchess was punished for her natural sexuality. The Duke’s ravings suggest that most of the supposed transgressions took place only in his mind. Like some of Browning’s fellow Victorians, the Duke sees sin lurking in every corner. The reason the speaker here gives for killing the Duchess ostensibly differs from that given by the speaker of â€Å"Porphyria’s Lover† for murder Porphyria; however, both women are nevertheless victims of a male desire to inscribe and fix female sexuality. The desperate need to do this mirrors the efforts of Victorian society to mould the behaviour—sexual and otherwise—of individuals. For people confronted with an increasingly complex and anonymous modern world, this impulse comes naturally: to control would seem to be to conserve and stabilize. The Renaissance was a time when morally dissolute men like the Duke exercised absolute power, and as such it is a fascinating study for the Victorians: works like this imply that, surely, a time that produced magnificen t art like the Duchess’s portrait couldn’t have been entirely evil in its allocation of societal control—even though it put men like the Duke in power.

Should I Go to a Rural, Urban, or Suburban College

Should I Go to a Rural, Urban, or Suburban College SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The location of a school can have a big impact on your experience as a student. It’s important to be aware of your preferences and make sure you choose a college that lines up with what will make you happiest. In this article, I’ll give you some details on the characteristics of rural, urban, and suburban college environments so that you can decide which one sounds like the best fit for you. What Is a Rural College Environment Like? Rural colleges are colleges that are located in the country, often with access to wilderness areas and farms. Generally, a college is considered rural if its campus is in a town with a population of less than 25,000 people.These schools can provide great outdoor learning opportunities in fields like environmental science and agriculture. I attendedDartmouth College, which I would consider a rural schoolgivenits remote location in the small town of Hanover, NH. While there, I took a class called â€Å"Food and Power.† We got to go on a field trip to the organic farm that’s associated with the college and eat some delicious fresh asparagus. (Seriously, I didn’t know it was possible for asparagus to taste that good.)Students also had the opportunity to work on the farm and learn more about how food was grown, an experience that wouldn't be accessible in a city environment. Usually at rural colleges there will still be a small town of some kind nearby so you can buy basic necessities that aren’t available on campus.Rural colleges tend to be far from any major city centers, although some do provide busing for students to cities that are within a reasonable distance (e.g. a couple of hours away).Rural college campuses are often very self-contained, meaning that not many students will live off campus because there aren’t enough options! Most events will happen on campus since there are very few opportunities to go out to clubs or shows off-campus.For this reason, rural colleges will often bring free concerts and performances to their students.These can be pretty cool, and this state of affairsalso means that you’ll spend a lot less money on going out with your friends.The scenery and activities available can vary immensely depending on where a rural college is located. Some are near mountains with great skiing and hiking and some might be near lakes or nice biking trails. Examples of rural colleges include: Middlebury College Bucknell University Carleton College Bucknell University in either the spring or fall. I can't tell which it is. All I know is that those trees are showing a LOT of branch. Is a Rural College the Right Choice for You? Rural colleges are great for students who love the outdoors and want to be a part of a tight-knit community.If you prefer to go for a hike or hang out with your friends in a quieter setting rather than spend a night out on the town, a rural college may be right up your alley.Rural colleges are ideal for those who prefer a friendly, relaxed atmosphere where they will mainly be interacting with other college students.If the idea of living on campus for most or all of your time in college and sticking to the same few reliable options for entertainment and food doesn’t bother you, then you’ll probably like the atmosphere at a rural college. One drawback of this type of environment is that there might not be as many job or internship opportunities available in the immediate vicinity.However, this can also leave you more open to the possibility of traveling somewhere new and exciting for a summer internship or job rather than sticking around in the same area. Rural colleges will do their best to provide on-campus job opportunities for students who are interested. Another thing to keep in mind is the transportation situation at rural colleges. If you don't have a car, it's going to be difficult for you to get off campus. This can feel a little bit claustrophobic at times. Many schools do provide busing or access to local transportation systems, but it's much less convenient to get around without a car at a rural college. If you don't have a car, you will probably end up knowing someone with a car, though; it's typically not a huge issue unless you're set on driving home every weekend. What Is an Urban College Environment Like? Urban colleges are located in large cities (typically with populations of 200,000 or more).The layouts of urban college campuses can vary immensely; some are more self-contained in their own little bubbles, and some are spread throughout the city.If a campus is more spread out, the college often offers specialized public transportation shuttles for students or will provide students with passes to use on the city’s public transportationsystems.Urban college campuses are extremely variable depending on the city and neighborhood where they are located, so you'll need to visit the school and do some research before making too many assumptions about what the environment is actually like. In many cases, urban campuses will offer off-campus learning opportunities in the form of internships and classes that allow students to interact with the surrounding community.Since urban campuses have such a close proximity to so many company headquarters and job opportunities, they can be great places to start your internship search and get your foot in the door career-wise. Urban colleges will provide you with access to many off-campus entertainment options including museums, bars, clubs, concerts, movies, plays, and more.They also tend to attract a more diverse student body. Examples of urban colleges include: New York University Northeastern University UCLA The Northeastern University campus. Dat landscaping. Is an Urban College the Right Choice for You? If you’re all about being in an exciting setting with lots of events and diverse people, an urban college might be the place for you. Since students from a variety of different backgrounds tend to be drawn to schools in big cities, urban colleges usually have a less homogeneous student body than rural colleges.Urban colleges are good environments for outgoing students who like to explore and interact with all different types of people and cultures.There will always be something going on in the surrounding city, and you’ll be able to access pretty much any activity that interests you because of the breadth of experiences available.It’s likely that there will also be other college campuses nearby, so you might have more opportunities to meet and interact with students from other colleges. Overall, it's much easier to get around at urban colleges because you'll usually have access to a robust public transportation system. People will be able to visit you even if they don't have cars because of your central location. If you do have a car, you may run into some issues at an urban college because cars often become largely unnecessary, and it can be expensive to park. If you’re hoping to live off campus and get more of a taste of adult life in college, an urban college might be a good choice.You’ll have tons of choices for where you want to live as an upperclassman. Keep in mind, however, that you couldstill run into cost issues, especially in larger cities (looking at you, New York). High housing pricescan limit your choices and make dorm life a more realistic option.At an urban college, you also won’t be stuck with the school’s dining options or the limited number of restaurants that might be available at a college in a small town. If there’s a certain city that is a hot spot for a career field that interests you, you might consider attending an urban college in the area to do some networking. It's easier to make connections when you can meet up with potential employers face to face. What Is a Suburban College Environment Like? A suburban college is a college that’s located somewhere between the rural and urban college environment.These colleges may be in small cities, large towns, or residential areas near large cities with populations that number between 25,000 and 200,000.Suburban colleges will offer some of the qualities of both urban and rural schools depending on their proximity to cities and the layout of their campuses. Suburban college campuses tend to be self-contained like rural colleges, fostering a sense of community amongst students.However, students at suburban colleges will have more options for activities off campus in the surrounding area.Suburban campuses often provide students with access to both outdoor activities similar to those found at rural colleges and urban entertainment options such as the museums, concerts, and clubs mentioned above. In many cases, suburban colleges have strong ties to the towns in which they are located, meaning student discounts at local venues as well as more job and internship opportunities. Local transportation is often provided to students for easy access to activities in the area, but it may be less directly accessible than at urban schools. It can be useful to have a car at a suburban college, but it's usually not necessary for getting off campus. Examples of suburban colleges include: Pomona College University of Virginia Tufts University Pomona College, where you can't be sad unless you don't ever look outside. Is a Suburban College the Right Choice for You? If different aspects of both rural and urban colleges appeal to you, then the suburban college life might be a good fit.You may like being in the city to a certain degree, but you want to be able to get away that atmosphere sometimes and enjoy nature.Suburban colleges will give you many choices for how you want to spend your time outside of class. If you want to get off campus you can, but you can also choose to stay within the college bubble if that’s what makes you feel more comfortable.Depending on location, suburban colleges may offer more access to off-campus housing options for students.If you’re interested in living off-campus without being in the middle of a big, intimidating city, a suburban college could be a great choice. Conclusion Location and environment are very important factors to consider when choosing a college.Depending on your personality, you might be happier at a rural, urban, or suburban school.Rural campuses are great for students who want to experience the outdoors far from the hustle and bustle of city life and be a part of a very independent college community.Urban campuses might be a better fit for students who love to go out on the town, experience a wide variety of cultural events, and meet lots of new people outside of those who attend their same school.Suburban campuses present a mixture of both environments; if aspects of both rural and suburban colleges appeal to you, a suburban college might be the way to go. Remember that this is just one factor that you should think about in your college search!Read my guide on how to choose a college to help you start brainstorming your preferences and researching schools. What's Next? You've probably heard of safety schools and reach schools, but how should you go about choosing them for yourself? Read more about how to decide on the bestsafety schools and reach schools in these articles. Another important way that colleges are categorized is by their status as public or private institutions. Find out what each type of school offers and whether one might be a better fit for you. Going to a college that's far away from your hometown can be a tough transition, but it's a great experience for many students. Learn about the pros and cons of going to school out of state. Want to improve your SAT score by 160points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: