Power and control in My Last Duchess by Robert BrowningPower is the ability of an individual or group to influence the behavior of others through manipulation, coercion, persuasion or domination. It is the possession of authority over others and the degree of influence that one or more individuals exert among their peers and within society as a whole. Therefore, the possession of power allows one to impose one's will in a given situation. Power is used by a person or group to limit or regulate the courses of action open to other individuals with or without their consent. It can be achieved through wealth, status, prestige, numbers, or organizational effectiveness. The exercise of power can be brutal or subtle, legal or illegal, just or unjust. However, the basis of power is the ability to compel obedience through the threat or use of force. In Robert Browning's poem, "My Last Duchess", power is used to demonstrate the arrogant, jealous and controlling nature of the speaker, the Duke. The first two lines of the poem introduce the reader to the theme of the Duke's speech, a painting of his late wife. The lines, "It's my last duchess painted on the wall/Looks like she was still alive" (Browning 1-2), seem to concern his late wife on the surface, but the mention of the duchess is secondary to to its own importance. expressed by the Duke in his speech. Additionally, the lines reveal that the Duchess was relatively insignificant to him. By stating that the painting of the late Duchess “appears to still be alive” (Browning 2), instead of noting that the painting is realistic, the Duke appears to have appreciated the Duchess solely for her physical experience. table re......middle of paper......test portrait. Jealousy, arrogance, and a controlling nature accompany the Duke's assertion of power over others. His power makes him feel that others, even his late wife, are beneath him and subject to his whims. He reacts with jealousy to the fact that his wife, who should be grateful for marrying into his family and gaining power from his bloodline, has shown affection towards others. Furthermore, the Duke felt he could not control his wife's behavior. He viewed his lack of control over his wife as a threat to his power. As a result, he had him killed because his arrogance wouldn't allow him to stoop down and talk to him. Ultimately, he forced his wife's obedience by having her killed, thus retaining his power over her through his painting. Works Cited Browning, Robert. “My last duchess.” Poetry X. Ed. Jough Dempsey. June 16, 2003. February 8. 2014 .