Question

In “My Last Duchess,” what is the effect of Browning’s use of repetition, particularly of the phrase “as if she were alive”?

• A. It emphasizes the Duchess’s love for life
• B. It shows the Duke's regret
• C. It hints at the Duke's guilt or pride over her death
• D. It expresses sympathy for the Duchess

Answer 1

Answer:

C. It hints at the Duke's guilt or pride over her death

The phrase “as if she were alive” appears twice in the poem. Initially, it seems nostalgic:

“Looking as if she were alive.”
Later, after the Duke implies he had her killed, he repeats:
“There she stands / As if alive.”
Now, it carries a sinister tone, possibly revealing pride in having “silenced” her through murder. This repetition (a type of refrain) serves to mask his crime under controlled politeness.