Here are multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers based on "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning:

1. Who is the speaker in "My Last Duchess"?
a) A nobleman speaking to a servant
b) The Duke of Ferrara
c) The Duchess herself
d) A painter

Answer:
b) The Duke of Ferrara

2. What is the main subject of the Duke’s monologue?
a) His political power
b) A portrait of his late wife
c) His new marriage plans
d) His artistic preferences

Answer:
b) A portrait of his late wife

3. What does the Duke reveal about the Duchess in the poem?
a) She was kind and respectful only to him.
b) She was easily pleased and treated everyone equally.
c) She was cold and distant.
d) She was jealous and possessive.

Answer:
b) She was easily pleased and treated everyone equally.

4. Who painted the Duchess’s portrait?
a) Fra Lippo Lippi
b) Fra Pandolf
c) Leonardo da Vinci
d) Michelangelo

Answer:
b) Fra Pandolf

5. Why does the Duke mention the “spot of joy” on the Duchess’s cheeks?
a) To describe her shyness
b) To show that she was easily pleased
c) To criticize her for blushing for others
d) To praise the painter’s skill

Answer:
c) To criticize her for blushing for others

6. What does the Duke imply about the Duchess’s behavior?
a) She was unfaithful to him.
b) She valued everything equally, even trivial things.
c) She was devoted only to him.
d) She disliked his authority.

Answer:
b) She valued everything equally, even trivial things.

7. What is the Duke’s tone throughout the poem?
a) Affectionate and nostalgic
b) Bitter and accusatory
c) Lighthearted and jovial
d) Formal and commanding

Answer:
d) Formal and commanding

8. What does the Duke mean when he says, “I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together”?
a) He told the Duchess to stop smiling.
b) He divorced the Duchess.
c) He had the Duchess killed.
d) He forbade her from meeting others.

Answer:
c) He had the Duchess killed.

9. Why is the Duke speaking to the listener?
a) To discuss a political alliance
b) To negotiate a dowry for his next marriage
c) To praise the late Duchess
d) To sell the portrait

Answer:
b) To negotiate a dowry for his next marriage

10. What does the Duke’s attitude toward the Duchess reveal about his character?
a) He is understanding and forgiving.
b) He is possessive and controlling.
c) He is compassionate and just.
d) He is indifferent and detached.

Answer:
b) He is possessive and controlling.

11. What does the Duke’s focus on art and material possessions suggest?
a) He values beauty and wealth over human relationships.
b) He is deeply attached to the Duchess.
c) He wants to preserve the Duchess’s memory.
d) He believes art is more important than life.

Answer:
a) He values beauty and wealth over human relationships.

12. Which literary device is prominent in "My Last Duchess"?
a) Simile
b) Dramatic monologue
c) Soliloquy
d) Allegory

Answer:
b) Dramatic monologue

13. What is the significance of the Duke pointing out the statue of Neptune at the end of the poem?
a) To emphasize his love for art
b) To symbolize his control and dominance
c) To compare himself to a god
d) To distract the listener from the painting

Answer:
b) To symbolize his control and dominance

14. What is the setting of the poem?
a) A church
b) A gallery in the Duke’s palace
c) A public square
d) The Duchess’s bedroom

Answer:
b) A gallery in the Duke’s palace

15. How does the Duke view his late wife’s humility and kindness?
a) As her greatest virtues
b) As qualities that diminished his status
c) As a reason for his love for her
d) As a sign of her intelligence

Answer:
b) As qualities that diminished his status

16. The poem’s exploration of power dynamics primarily focuses on:
a) Gender roles and dominance
b) Political alliances and warfare
c) Artistic merit and criticism
d) Economic prosperity

Answer:
a) Gender roles and dominance

17. What does the Duke’s insistence on controlling the portrait reveal?
a) His artistic sensibility
b) His obsession with control over the Duchess, even in death
c) His love for art and beauty
d) His regret about his actions

Answer:
b) His obsession with control over the Duchess, even in death

Here are more MCQs based on "My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning:

18. What is the Duke’s primary complaint about the Duchess?
a) She did not appreciate his wealth.
b) She flirted openly with others.
c) She treated everything with equal delight.
d) She ignored his commands.

Answer:
c) She treated everything with equal delight.

19. The phrase “My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name” reflects:
a) The Duke’s generosity.
b) The Duke’s pride in his heritage.
c) The Duke’s desire for love.
d) The Duchess’s appreciation for his title.

Answer:
b) The Duke’s pride in his heritage.

20. The Duke’s use of the word “stoop” in the poem implies:
a) His willingness to forgive the Duchess.
b) His disdain for lowering himself to correct her.
c) His physical posture.
d) His affection for the Duchess.

Answer:
b) His disdain for lowering himself to correct her.

21. Which of the following best describes the Duke’s perspective on his late wife?
a) She was unworthy of him.
b) She was misunderstood by others.
c) She was an ideal partner.
d) She was overly ambitious.

Answer:
a) She was unworthy of him.

22. What does the Duke’s speech reveal about his personality?
a) He is self-aware and reflective.
b) He is arrogant and possessive.
c) He is kind and forgiving.
d) He is empathetic and understanding.

Answer:
b) He is arrogant and possessive.

23. Why does the Duke prefer to keep the Duchess’s portrait behind a curtain?
a) To preserve its beauty.
b) To control who sees her image.
c) To protect it from damage.
d) To respect her memory.

Answer:
b) To control who sees her image.

24. The Duke’s reference to “Fra Pandolf by design” suggests that:
a) The portrait was a collaborative effort.
b) The painter intended to create a specific impression.
c) The Duchess influenced the painter’s work.
d) The Duke is critical of the painter’s skills.

Answer:
b) The painter intended to create a specific impression.

25. What is the symbolic meaning of the Duchess’s smile in the poem?
a) Her joy in life
b) Her infidelity
c) Her disregard for the Duke’s authority
d) Her inability to distinguish between significant and trivial matters

Answer:
d) Her inability to distinguish between significant and trivial matters

26. The phrase “Notice Neptune, though, / Taming a sea-horse” symbolizes:
a) The Duke’s love for animals.
b) The Duke’s desire for control and dominance.
c) The Duchess’s admiration for art.
d) The power of nature.

Answer:
b) The Duke’s desire for control and dominance.

27. What poetic form is used in My Last Duchess?
a) Free verse
b) Dramatic monologue
c) Lyric poem
d) Ballad

Answer:
b) Dramatic monologue

28. How does the Duke refer to his late wife in the poem?
a) With affection and sorrow
b) With admiration and respect
c) With criticism and superiority
d) With regret and apology

Answer:
c) With criticism and superiority

29. Why does the Duke believe his late wife’s behavior was inappropriate?
a) She spent too much time with the painter.
b) She was too easily pleased by everything around her.
c) She refused to obey his commands.
d) She desired wealth and power.

Answer:
b) She was too easily pleased by everything around her.

30. How does the Duke justify his actions toward the Duchess?
a) By emphasizing his love for her
b) By pointing out her supposed flaws
c) By claiming she was unfaithful
d) By suggesting it was necessary for his reputation

Answer:
b) By pointing out her supposed flaws

31. What is ironic about the Duke’s monologue?
a) He unintentionally reveals his cruelty and arrogance.
b) He praises the Duchess while planning to remarry.
c) He underestimates the listener’s intelligence.
d) He regrets losing the Duchess.

Answer:
a) He unintentionally reveals his cruelty and arrogance.

32. What is the relationship between the Duke and his listener?
a) The listener is a friend.
b) The listener is a servant.
c) The listener is an emissary arranging the Duke’s next marriage.
d) The listener is a rival nobleman.

Answer:
c) The listener is an emissary arranging the Duke’s next marriage.

33. What type of power dynamic does the Duke represent?
a) Equality in relationships
b) Patriarchal dominance and control
c) Submissive behavior toward others
d) Democratic leadership

Answer:
b) Patriarchal dominance and control

34. What does the phrase “Too soon made glad” suggest about the Duchess?
a) She was easily pleased by simple things.
b) She loved the Duke too much.
c) She was immature and naïve.
d) She sought approval from others constantly.

Answer:
a) She was easily pleased by simple things.

**35. The Duke’s discussion of the portrait serves to:
a) Highlight the painter’s skills.
b) Reveal his controlling and possessive nature.
c) Emphasize his love for art.
d) Demonstrate his sorrow for the Duchess’s death.

Answer:
b) Reveal his controlling and possessive nature.

36. What does the Duke imply about the Duchess’s conduct toward others?
a) She flirted with other men.
b) She did not respect his family name.
c) She valued everyone equally, regardless of rank.
d) She was rude and dismissive of others.

Answer:
c) She valued everyone equally, regardless of rank.

**37. The poem’s setting primarily takes place:
a) In the Duke’s gallery.
b) In the Duchess’s quarters.
c) In Fra Pandolf’s studio.
d) In the garden.

Answer:
a) In the Duke’s gallery.

38. What is the significance of the Duke’s use of the word “commands” in the poem?
a) It highlights his authoritarian nature.
b) It shows his concern for the Duchess’s happiness.
c) It reflects his frustration with the painter.
d) It demonstrates his willingness to compromise.

Answer:
a) It highlights his authoritarian nature.

39. Why does the Duke avoid directly discussing the Duchess’s death?
a) To keep the conversation focused on art.
b) To avoid incriminating himself.
c) To maintain an air of mystery.
d) To show his lack of emotional attachment.

Answer:
b) To avoid incriminating himself.

40. What does the Duke hope to gain from his conversation with the listener?
a) Sympathy for the loss of the Duchess.
b) An advantageous marriage arrangement.
c) Praise for the portrait of the Duchess.
d) Recognition of his power and wealth.

Answer:
b) An advantageous marriage arrangement.

**41. The Duke’s attitude toward women in the poem suggests that he views them as:
a) Equals deserving respect.
b) Possessions to be controlled.
c) Muses for artistic inspiration.
d) Rivals to his authority.

Answer:
b) Possessions to be controlled.

42. Which literary technique is most evident in the Duke’s speech?
a) Hyperbole
b) Dramatic irony
c) Alliteration
d) Allegory

Answer:
b) Dramatic irony

43. What is the Duke’s attitude toward the Duchess’s appreciation for nature?
a) He admires her simplicity.
b) He finds it inappropriate for her rank.
c) He praises her taste in beauty.
d) He criticizes her for focusing on trivial things.

Answer:
d) He criticizes her for focusing on trivial things.

44. What emotion does the Duke express when speaking about the Duchess’s smile?
a) Jealousy
b) Pride
c) Nostalgia
d) Sorrow

Answer:
a) Jealousy

**45. The Duke’s reference to the dowry at the end of the poem implies:
a) He is eager to remarry for financial gain.
b) He regrets his past marriage.
c) He prioritizes love over wealth.
d) He respects the listener’s family.

Answer:
a) He is eager to remarry for financial gain.

46. What literary device is evident in the line “Looking as if she were alive”?
a) Personification
b) Simile
c) Irony
d) Metaphor

Answer:
c) Irony

47. What role does the listener play in the poem?
a) An active participant questioning the Duke
b) A passive audience for the Duke’s monologue
c) A critic of the Duke’s actions
d) A confidant of the Duke

Answer:
b) A passive audience for the Duke’s monologue

**48. What does the Duke mean by “Will’t please you sit and look at her?”
a) He invites the listener to admire her beauty.
b) He is mocking the Duchess’s behavior.
c) He is commanding the listener to agree with him.
d) He is showing his appreciation for the portrait.

Answer:
a) He invites the listener to admire her beauty.

49. How does the Duke contrast himself with the Duchess in the poem?
a) By highlighting her flaws and his virtues
b) By praising her emotional depth
c) By emphasizing his patience and her rashness
d) By portraying himself as a victim of her actions

Answer:
a) By highlighting her flaws and his virtues

**50. The Duke’s closing reference to the Neptune statue reflects his:
a) Artistic tastes.
b) Desire to impress the listener.
c) Need to assert dominance and control.
d) Longing for the Duchess.

Answer:
c) Need to assert dominance and control.

51. What does the Duke suggest about the Duchess’s gratitude?
a) She was overly grateful for trivial compliments.
b) She was not grateful enough for his name and status.
c) She expressed gratitude only to him.
d) She avoided showing gratitude to anyone.

Answer:
b) She was not grateful enough for his name and status.

52. Which phrase best encapsulates the Duke’s character in the poem?
a) Loving and forgiving
b) Arrogant and manipulative
c) Thoughtful and reflective
d) Humble and empathetic

Answer:
b) Arrogant and manipulative

53. What motivates the Duke’s narrative about his late wife?
a) To showcase his sorrow and loss
b) To justify his treatment of her
c) To honor her memory
d) To critique the painter’s skills

Answer:
b) To justify his treatment of her

54. Why is the Duchess referred to as “My Last Duchess”?
a) She was the most important of his wives.
b) She is the most recent Duchess he married.
c) The Duke plans never to remarry.
d) The Duke views her as a completed chapter.

Answer:
d) The Duke views her as a completed chapter.

55. How does the Duke control the narrative about the Duchess?
a) By silencing others who might contradict him
b) By blaming the painter for the Duchess’s portrayal
c) By choosing which aspects of her life to share
d) By denying her portrait to anyone who asks

Answer:
c) By choosing which aspects of her life to share

56. What is the significance of the line “I choose / Never to stoop”?
a) It reflects the Duke’s unwillingness to compromise.
b) It highlights the Duke’s grief over the Duchess’s death.
c) It signifies the Duke’s admiration for the Duchess.
d) It shows the Duke’s regret about his behavior.

Answer:
a) It reflects the Duke’s unwillingness to compromise.

57. What does the Duke believe about the Duchess’s interactions with others?
a) She respected everyone equally.
b) She was flirtatious and disloyal.
c) She focused only on his desires.
d) She was uninterested in people.

Answer:
a) She respected everyone equally.

**58. The dramatic irony in the poem lies in:
a) The listener knowing the Duchess was faithful.
b) The Duke revealing his flaws while trying to assert control.
c) The Duke’s ignorance of the painter’s intentions.
d) The listener disagreeing with the Duke’s account.

Answer:
b) The Duke revealing his flaws while trying to assert control.

59. Why is the Duchess’s portrait significant to the Duke?
a) It immortalizes her flaws.
b) It gives him control over her image.
c) It is his way of mourning her loss.
d) It reminds him of his love for her.

Answer:
b) It gives him control over her image.

**60. What literary device is used in the Duke’s statement “All smiles stopped together”?
a) Personification
b) Hyperbole
c) Euphemism
d) Irony

Answer:
c) Euphemism

61. What does the Duke emphasize about his perspective on marriage?
a) It is based on equality and mutual respect.
b) It should enhance his social and financial status.
c) It is a means of finding companionship.
d) It reflects the love he has for art and beauty.

Answer:
b) It should enhance his social and financial status.

62. How does the Duke describe the Duchess’s faults?
a) With anger and hostility
b) With a sense of justification
c) With regret and sadness
d) With humor and detachment

Answer:
b) With a sense of justification

**63. The Duke’s use of the phrase “as if alive” when describing the portrait suggests:
a) The realism of the painting.
b) His longing for the Duchess.
c) His indifference toward her death.
d) His admiration for Fra Pandolf’s skill.

Answer:
a) The realism of the painting.

64. What is the purpose of the Duke’s focus on the Neptune statue at the end?
a) To shift the listener’s attention from the Duchess.
b) To boast about his wealth and taste.
c) To symbolize his love for classical art.
d) To highlight his regret about the Duchess.

Answer:
b) To boast about his wealth and taste.

**65. The Duke’s actions toward the Duchess reveal his belief that:
a) Women should submit entirely to their husbands.
b) Love requires freedom and equality.
c) Art can replace human relationships.
d) Marriage is a personal and emotional bond.

Answer:
a) Women should submit entirely to their husbands.

**66. The listener’s silence throughout the poem signifies:
a) Fear of disagreeing with the Duke.
b) A willingness to obey the Duke’s demands.
c) A deliberate choice to observe and not interrupt.
d) A lack of interest in the Duke’s story.

Answer:
c) A deliberate choice to observe and not interrupt.

67. What theme is most prominent in "My Last Duchess"?
a) The permanence of art
b) The pursuit of true love
c) The abuse of power and control
d) The fleeting nature of beauty

Answer:
c) The abuse of power and control

68. How does the Duke’s speech reflect the Victorian perspective on gender roles?
a) It emphasizes mutual respect and partnership.
b) It highlights men’s dominance and women’s submission.
c) It critiques traditional notions of marriage.
d) It suggests the irrelevance of social hierarchies.

Answer:
b) It highlights men’s dominance and women’s submission.

69. How does the Duke view his authority in his marriage?
a) As something shared equally with the Duchess
b) As absolute and unquestionable
c) As secondary to the Duchess’s happiness
d) As irrelevant to their relationship

Answer:
b) As absolute and unquestionable

70. What does the Duke’s complaint about the Duchess’s “blush” reveal about him?
a) He appreciates her beauty.
b) He is paranoid about her interactions with others.
c) He values her modesty and grace.
d) He is indifferent to her emotions.

Answer:
b) He is paranoid about her interactions with others.

71. The tone of the Duke’s monologue can best be described as:
a) Reflective and sorrowful
b) Calm yet controlling
c) Joyful and nostalgic
d) Apologetic and regretful

Answer:
b) Calm yet controlling

72. How does the Duke justify his refusal to “stoop”?
a) He sees it as beneath his dignity to correct the Duchess.
b) He believes the Duchess should naturally understand his expectations.
c) He feels it is unnecessary to express his desires.
d) He assumes others will correct the Duchess for him.

Answer:
a) He sees it as beneath his dignity to correct the Duchess.

73. What does the Duke mean by “I gave commands; / Then all smiles stopped together”?
a) He ordered her to be sent away.
b) He commanded her to stop smiling at others.
c) He implies her death occurred due to his orders.
d) He forbade anyone from mentioning her.

Answer:
c) He implies her death occurred due to his orders.

74. What does the Duke’s description of the Duchess’s faults suggest about his values?
a) He values humility and self-restraint.
b) He prioritizes his reputation and control over personal relationships.
c) He values independence and equality in marriage.
d) He admires her ability to bring joy to others.

Answer:
b) He prioritizes his reputation and control over personal relationships.

75. The Duke’s obsession with control is symbolized by:
a) The curtain covering the portrait
b) The Neptune statue
c) The listener’s silence
d) The Duchess’s blush

Answer:
a) The curtain covering the portrait

76. What role does Fra Pandolf play in the poem?
a) He serves as a rival to the Duke.
b) He is a symbolic figure representing the Duke’s power.
c) He is the artist who painted the Duchess’s portrait.
d) He is the Duke’s advisor and confidant.

Answer:
c) He is the artist who painted the Duchess’s portrait.

77. What is the significance of the Duke’s statement, “E’en then would be some stooping; and I choose / Never to stoop”?
a) It shows his refusal to compromise or communicate.
b) It highlights his regret for not forgiving the Duchess.
c) It reflects his belief in the superiority of art over life.
d) It signifies his sorrow for the Duchess’s death.

Answer:
a) It shows his refusal to compromise or communicate.

78. What does the Duke’s focus on material objects, such as the portrait and the statue, suggest about him?
a) He values emotional connections above all else.
b) He sees people as possessions rather than individuals.
c) He is deeply artistic and sensitive.
d) He prefers art to real-life experiences.

Answer:
b) He sees people as possessions rather than individuals.

79. The poem explores which central theme?
a) The conflict between love and duty
b) The tension between art and reality
c) The abuse of power and gender inequality
d) The fleeting nature of human emotions

Answer:
c) The abuse of power and gender inequality

80. How does the Duke view the listener in the poem?
a) As a confidant and equal
b) As a subordinate and a means to his goal
c) As someone who sympathizes with his loss
d) As an admirer of his art collection

Answer:
b) As a subordinate and a means to his goal

81. What does the Duke mean by “Notice Neptune, though, / Taming a sea-horse”?
a) He uses the statue to emphasize his love for the sea.
b) He uses the statue to boast about his wealth and dominance.
c) He criticizes the artist who sculpted it.
d) He compares the Duchess to the sea-horse.

Answer:
b) He uses the statue to boast about his wealth and dominance.

82. The Duke’s desire for a new marriage primarily stems from:
a) Love and companionship
b) Financial gain and social advancement
c) Artistic inspiration
d) A need to fill the void left by the Duchess

Answer:
b) Financial gain and social advancement

83. How does the Duke’s choice of words reflect his personality?
a) His formal and measured speech shows his rationality.
b) His indirect and controlling language reveals his arrogance.
c) His emotional outbursts show his vulnerability.
d) His poetic tone reflects his love for the Duchess.

Answer:
b) His indirect and controlling language reveals his arrogance.

84. Why is the listener important to the structure of the poem?
a) They provide a sense of dialogue in the monologue.
b) They challenge the Duke’s authority.
c) Their silence emphasizes the Duke’s dominance.
d) They serve as a witness to the Duchess’s death.

Answer:
c) Their silence emphasizes the Duke’s dominance.

85. What does the Duke hope to achieve by mentioning the dowry?
a) To show his respect for the listener’s family
b) To negotiate a favorable marriage arrangement
c) To reminisce about his previous marriage
d) To insult the Duchess’s family

Answer:
b) To negotiate a favorable marriage arrangement