Question

How does the revelation in lines 45-47 impact the development of the Duke's character over the course of the poem?

Answer 1

Up until the lines just preceding 45–47, the speaker gives the impression that all was well between himself and the Duchess. This conveys the admission by the speaker that (not unusually for his time, and later) he became the typical arrogant, domineering husband. Prior to this we saw mere hints of his growing dissatisfaction with her.

Step-by-step explanation: