You have managed to select the heart of this poem, and
some of the most disturbing lines ever written in literature, in my opinion. These lines
tell us the fate of the poor last Duchess, and how her completely indifferent husband
had her murdered because of his own arrogance and inability to compromise. Looking at
these lines in context, we can see that the Duke is such a proud man that he considers
it beneath himself to discuss with his wife what was annoying him about her actions and
his own jealousy. His refusal "Never to stoop" indicates that he believes he is such an
important man that he thinks he should have his wants anticipated and met without ever
having to "stoop" to ask for anything or to express his
discontent.
It was the inability of the last Duchess to do
this that led her to carry on "smiling" and offending her husband, which in turn led to
the vague "commands" of her husband, which resulted in her death. The Duke is clearly
presented as a man who will not brook any opposition to his powerful will, and as a
tyrannical individual.
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