116 My Last Duchess Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

The poem "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning is a classic piece of literature that has captivated readers for generations. The poem tells the story of a Duke who is showing off a portrait of his late wife, the Duchess, to a visitor. As the Duke describes the painting and his relationship with his wife, it becomes clear that he is not the loving husband he initially presents himself to be.

If you are tasked with writing an essay on "My Last Duchess," you may be struggling to come up with a topic. To help you get started, here are 116 essay topic ideas and examples that you can use as inspiration:

1. Analyze the Duke's perspective on marriage and relationships.
2. Compare and contrast the Duke's relationship with the Duchess to a more traditional love story.
3. Discuss the role of power and control in the poem.
4. Explore the theme of jealousy in "My Last Duchess."
5. Examine the use of imagery in the poem.
6. Discuss the significance of the title "My Last Duchess."
7. Analyze the Duke's use of language to manipulate the listener.
8. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to modern-day examples of domestic abuse.
9. Discuss the role of women in the poem.
10. Explore the theme of art and aesthetics in "My Last Duchess."
11. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards art and beauty.
12. Compare the Duke's attitude towards the Duchess to his attitude towards other women.
13. Discuss the role of class and social status in the poem.
14. Explore the theme of control and possession in "My Last Duchess."
15. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards his wife's behavior.
16. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other people.
17. Discuss the role of gender in the poem.
18. Explore the theme of loss and grief in "My Last Duchess."
19. Analyze the Duke's use of language to convey his emotions.
20. Compare the Duke's attitude towards the Duchess to his attitude towards his possessions.
21. Discuss the role of power dynamics in the poem.
22. Explore the theme of vanity and pride in "My Last Duchess."
23. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards marriage and family.
24. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other women in his life.
25. Discuss the role of deception and manipulation in the poem.
26. Explore the theme of control and submission in "My Last Duchess."
27. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards women in general.
28. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other men.
29. Discuss the role of art and aesthetics in the poem.
30. Explore the theme of obsession and possessiveness in "My Last Duchess."
31. Analyze the Duke's use of language to convey his emotions towards the Duchess.
32. Compare the Duke's attitude towards marriage to his attitude towards other relationships.
33. Discuss the role of power and authority in the poem.
34. Explore the theme of manipulation and deceit in "My Last Duchess."
35. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards love and affection.
36. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other people in his life.
37. Discuss the role of control and dominance in the poem.
38. Explore the theme of desire and lust in "My Last Duchess."
39. Analyze the Duke's use of language to convey his emotions towards the Duchess and other women.
40. Compare the Duke's attitude towards the Duchess to his attitude towards his possessions and property.
41. Discuss the role of class and social status in the poem.
42. Explore the theme of jealousy and insecurity in "My Last Duchess."
43. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards marriage and relationships.
44. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other women in his life.
45. Discuss the role of power dynamics in the poem.
46. Explore the theme of control and manipulation in "My Last Duchess."
47. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards women and femininity.
48. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other men in his life.
49. Discuss the role of deception and betrayal in the poem.
50. Explore the theme of vanity and pride in "My Last Duchess."
51. Analyze the Duke's use of language to convey his emotions towards the Duchess and other women.
52. Compare the Duke's attitude towards marriage and family to his attitude towards other relationships.
53. Discuss the role of power and authority in the poem.
54. Explore the theme of obsession and possession in "My Last Duchess."
55. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards love and affection.
56. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other people in his life.
57. Discuss the role of control and dominance in the poem.
58. Explore the theme of manipulation and deceit in "My Last Duchess."
59. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards women and femininity.
60. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other women in his life.
61. Discuss the role of class and social status in the poem.
62. Explore the theme of jealousy and insecurity in "My Last Duchess."
63. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards marriage and relationships.
64. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other women in his life.
65. Discuss the role of power dynamics in the poem.
66. Explore the theme of control and manipulation in "My Last Duchess."
67. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards women and femininity.
68. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other men in his life.
69. Discuss the role of deception and betrayal in the poem.
70. Explore the theme of vanity and pride in "My Last Duchess."
71. Analyze the Duke's use of language to convey his emotions towards the Duchess and other women.
72. Compare the Duke's attitude towards marriage and family to his attitude towards other relationships.
73. Discuss the role of power and authority in the poem.
74. Explore the theme of obsession and possession in "My Last Duchess."
75. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards love and affection.
76. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other people in his life.
77. Discuss the role of control and dominance in the poem.
78. Explore the theme of manipulation and deceit in "My Last Duchess."
79. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards women and femininity.
80. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other women in his life.
81. Discuss the role of class and social status in the poem.
82. Explore the theme of jealousy and insecurity in "My Last Duchess."
83. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards marriage and relationships.
84. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other women in his life.
85. Discuss the role of power dynamics in the poem.
86. Explore the theme of control and manipulation in "My Last Duchess."
87. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards women and femininity.
88. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other men in his life.
89. Discuss the role of deception and betrayal in the poem.
90. Explore the theme of vanity and pride in "My Last Duchess."
91. Analyze the Duke's use of language to convey his emotions towards the Duchess and other women.
92. Compare the Duke's attitude towards marriage and family to his attitude towards other relationships.
93. Discuss the role of power and authority in the poem.
94. Explore the theme of obsession and possession in "My Last Duchess."
95. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards love and affection.
96. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other people in his life.
97. Discuss the role of control and dominance in the poem.
98. Explore the theme of manipulation and deceit in "My Last Duchess."
99. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards women and femininity.
100. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other women in his life.
101. Discuss the role of class and social status in the poem.
102. Explore the theme of jealousy and insecurity in "My Last Duchess."
103. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards marriage and relationships.
104. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other women in his life.
105. Discuss the role of power dynamics in the poem.
106. Explore the theme of control and manipulation in "My Last Duchess."
107. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards women and femininity.
108. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other men in his life.
109. Discuss the role of deception and betrayal in the poem.
110. Explore the theme of vanity and pride in "My Last Duchess."
111. Analyze the Duke's use of language to convey his emotions towards the Duchess and other women.
112. Compare the Duke's attitude towards marriage and family to his attitude towards other relationships.
113. Discuss the role of power and authority in the poem.
114. Explore the theme of obsession and possession in "My Last Duchess."
115. Analyze the Duke's attitude towards love and affection.
116. Compare the Duke's treatment of the Duchess to his treatment of other people in his life.

These essay topic ideas and examples should give you plenty of inspiration for writing a compelling and thought-provoking essay on "My Last Duchess." Whether you choose to focus on a specific theme, character, or aspect of the poem, there is no shortage of material to explore in this classic work of literature.