9. Read the excerpt from Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess."
"She thanked men-good! But thanked/Somehow-I know not how-as if she ranked/My gift of a nine-hundred-year-old name/With anybody's gift..."
Which of these best describes the speaker's attitude toward the duchess?
A.) appreciative
B.) loving
C.) resentful
D.) wistful
Answer:
9.) A
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You're welcome! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
To determine the speaker's attitude toward the duchess in Robert Browning's "My Last Duchess," you should analyze the given excerpt. In the lines, the speaker mentions that the duchess thanked men, but there is a sense of bitterness in their tone. The speaker feels that the duchess expressed her thanks in a way that equated his gift of a prestigious name with just anyone's gift. This suggests that the speaker is resentful towards the duchess. Thus, the correct answer is C.) resentful.
To arrive at this answer, it is crucial to closely read and analyze the given lines. Considering the speaker's tone, word choice, and the context of the text all aid in understanding the speaker's attitude. Reading the complete poem or further analyzing the interactions and dialogue between the speaker and the duchess can also provide additional context and insights.