Author(s): Rekha V.G.

Abstract: Robert Browning’s dramatic monologue “My Last Duchess”, though rooted in the Victorian era and set in Renaissance Italy functions as a powerful mirror to modern society. The poem foregrounds themes of patriarchal dominance, aristocratic power and the social importance of power and hierarchy, all embodied in the figure of the Duke. Browning exposes the unequal dynamics of marital relationships, highlighting the dominance of the husband and the enforced subservience of women. The Duchess’ reduction to an object - valued for obedience and controlled visibility reveals patterns of female objectification and silencing that persist beyond the poem’s historical context. These themes find clear reflection in contemporary social realities including gender inequality, domestic violence, power politics and the continued marginalization of vulnerable groups. By dramatizing the abuse of authority within private and public spheres “My Last Duchess” transcends its temporal setting and invites modern readers to confront enduring structures of oppression. The poem thus remains relevant as a critique of unchecked power and systemic inequality in present day.

Keywords: monologue, dominance, power, objectification, oppression

Article Info: Received: 14 May 2026; Received in revised form: 11 Jun 2026; Accepted: 15 Jun 2026; Available online: 18 Jun 2026

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.113.69