¶ … poetic form involves some kind of structural formula dictating how it is to be written. Beyond this, myriad of differences exist among abstract or genre poems. The three poems, "My Last Duchess," by Robert Browning, "Richard Cory" by Edwin Arlington Robinson and "We Real Cool," by Gwendolyn Brooks truly exemplify such variety.
In "My Last Duchess," Browning offers readers a personal view of an aristocratic Duchess from the mid-1840s. While standing in front of his late wife's portrait, Alfonso II, Duke of Ferrara of Italy talks about her failings and imperfections to a member of his fiancee's family. The ironic twist comes when it is realized that the young wife's faults were simply "a heart too soon made glad, too easily impressed." In other words, she was too friendly to others -- especially men -- and thus the arrogant, jealous and controlling Duke had her killed.
The poem offers an example of the dramatic monologue, since from a formalist standpoint, it includes the three elements of an occasion, a speaker and a listener (sometimes oneself), all its words are meant to be heard and there is one voice. It is also a form of lyric poem where the speaker addresses a distinct but silent audience imagined to be present to reveal a dramatic situation and, purposely or not, some aspect of his/her temperament or personality.
"My Last Duchess," uses irony to convey its message. As noted previously, it turns out that the Duke is the one to be derided, not his wife. The poem contains verbal irony as shown when the Duke says to his guests, "even had you skill in speech . . . which I have not," since he continually proves through his words that he is a professional speaker. The irony is recognized from the very beginning as the Duke says, "There she stands/As if Alive," not realizing that he will be relating more about himself through his...
That is, here "he" stands, alive in front of you.
Browning also relies on a number of different metaphors, or comparisons between two things, to provide information. For example, the Duke reveals his protectiveness of his wife as he talks of curtains that only he has permission to draw. The phrase "spot of joy into the Duchess' cheek" is a metaphor comparing the splendor and beauty of the Duchess that caught everyone's eye.
Lastly, "My Last Duchess has imagery that provides information and mood. At the end of the poem, the Duke uses the bronze Neptune who is taming a seahorse to explain his need for complete obedience from his future wife. Also, it demonstrates how the Duke sees himself as a God who demands allegiance from everyone. Through such an approach, Browning conveys the crimes and personal deficiencies of the Victorian age.
"Richard Cory" is one of Edwin Arlington Robinson's best-known poems. It comes from the collection "The Children of the Night." The poem was written in 1897 after Robinson read a newspaper clipping about Frank Avery, who "blew his bowels out with a shotgun." Despite his wealth, Richard Cory "was always human when he talked," and "admirably schooled in every grace." Everyone wishes they are like him, until he "put a bullet through his head." Like "My Last Duchess," the ending of Robinson's poem is very ironic, in that Cory is so capable of maintaining a pleasant front.
In a matter of 16 short lines, Robinson is able to condense the entire life of an individual. The first two lines suggest how Cory is on a different plane than others. The second two relate how his "clean favored and imperially slim" appearance sets him off. In the next lines, Robinson moves from appearance to personality that makes Cory even more special. The next lines hold him up as a model. Here is…
