My Last Duchess — Revision Guide
by Robert Browning · Poetry - Power and Conflict
A revision guide to My Last Duchess by Robert Browning for AQA GCSE English Literature.
Studied for
- AQA GCSE — Poetry - Power and Conflict
Poetry - Power and Conflict
My Last Duchess
A revision guide to My Last Duchess by Robert Browning for GCSE and A-Level English Literature — including which exam boards study it and how to revise effectively.
About the text
My Last Duchess by Robert Browning is a poetry anthology text on the UK English Literature specifications. Use the section below to find your specific exam board and level, then work through the revision focus and exam-technique guidance further down the page.
Which exam boards and levels study My Last Duchess?
What examiners are looking for
For poetry - power and conflict questions, examiners reward analytical depth over plot summary. Focus your revision on:
- Themes shared across poems in the cluster
- Form and structure (sonnet, free verse, stanza shape, line length, enjambment)
- Language: imagery, sound (alliteration, assonance, sibilance), tone, voice
- Context for each poet (period, biography, social or political backdrop)
- Comparison: similarities and differences in how each poem treats the theme
Essay technique
For an anthology, examiners want sustained comparison — find a theme, pick two poems, and weave evidence from both throughout each paragraph. Don't analyse each poem separately.
How to revise My Last Duchess effectively
The most efficient approach is to alternate between two activities. First, build deep familiarity with themes and characters through active recall — close the book, write down everything you remember about a theme, then check what you missed. Second, practise essay structure by drafting paragraph plans for past-paper questions. Five focused plans will teach you more than one polished essay.
MasteryMind's adaptive quizzes cover My Last Duchess content alongside spaced-repetition scheduling, and the AI marker grades your written paragraphs against the official mark scheme — telling you exactly which assessment objectives you hit and missed.
Frequently asked questions
Is My Last Duchess on my exam?
My Last Duchess is studied on: AQA (GCSE). Check your exam board's specification document for the current academic year — set texts can change between series.
How many quotations should I memorise?
Aim for 8–12 short, flexible quotations per character or major theme — enough to support a range of essay questions without overwhelming your recall. Short quotes (3–6 words) embedded mid-sentence earn more credit than long block quotes.
Can MasteryMind mark my My Last Duchess essays?
Yes. Submit a typed or handwritten essay on any My Last Duchess question and our AI marker will grade it against the official mark scheme for your exam board, showing which assessment objectives (AO1, AO2, AO3) you covered and where to improve. Learn more about AI marking →
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