Question

Which of the statements below is true about the duchess in “My Last Duchess” and the beloved in “Life in a Love,” two poems by Robert Browning? A. Both the duchess and the beloved try to escape from their lovers. B. The duchess is rejected by her husband, but the beloved is the object of devotion. C. Both the duchess and the beloved seek love wherever they can find it. D. The duchess’s love for the duke is true, but the beloved’s love for the speaker is fake.

Answer 1

The correct answer is A.

In “My Last Duchess,” the speaker, the Duke of Ferrara, explains that his late wife was flirty and ungrateful. She was trying to escape her husband and when her behaviour escalated he took action and ended her life.

In "Life in a Love," the beloved of the speaker has stated her intentions of leaving him. However, he declares that he will never allower her to do so. That it is his destiny to chase her, and even if she turns him down, he will continue to pursue her.

Answer 2

The correct answer of this question is option A. Both the duchess and the beloved try to escape from their lovers. In "My Last Duchess", the duchess betrayed the duke. The speaker believed that his fate is to chase her beloved in "Life in a Love".