My Last Duchess X Memoirs of a GeishaIn the poem Essays

My Last Duchess X Memoirs of a GeishaIn the poem "My Last Duchess" (1842), the value of art is shown, not only as a means of wealth and prestige, but also as a means of ownership over the Duchess. Robert Browning uses this to bring light to the real life event where the Duke had his Duchess killed, as he felt that he could not control her actions. The Duke uses the painting as a way to finally gain control over his wife. However, the painting of the Duchess de-humanises her as she is continually objectified as a piece of art. In the line "Will't please you sit and look at her?" the Duke is showing the artwork off to the messenger, and demands he look at it properly. By referring to the artwork as her' the poet is insinuating the merging of woman and painting suggesting their similarities and value as a result of physical appearance. The Duke's value for art is revealed when he begins to "name drop" the artist of the painting, demonstrating his wealth; "That piece a wonder, now: Fra P andolf's hands". During the Victorian era art was highly valued by society and was a clear indicator of wealth, which explains why the Duke would label the artist and in doing so demonstrating his extreme wealth. Even though the Duke has extreme pride in the artwork, it has a darker meaning of his control and power over the Last Duchess. Likewise, in the film "Memoirs of a Geisha"(2005), director Rob Marshall explores the idea of the value of art in Japanese society. A Geisha can be defined as a moving piece of art. "The very word geisha means artist, and to be a geisha is to be judged as a "moving work of art", this shows us the extreme expectations to be as "perfect as a painting". "She paints her face to hide her face", the repetition of face' leads us to believe that the Geisha can paint their face in anyway in order to become someone else to hide from their past. Along with being a physical piece of art, the Geisha are forced to conceal their emotions, especially towards men, a s they are only subjected to those whom have purchased them. it is not for a Geisha to want" showing that her morals are flawed. Therefore a Geisha must ignore her feelings in order to please her "danna", who is a patron to the Geisha. The value of art is portrayed through the living artwork' Sayuri and the men's strong desire to own her, most desirable Geisha. Sayuri, since being able to reach this status of the most desirable Geisha, with the help of Mameha, sold herself to the Baron for 15,000 yen. Therefore, this shows that the men during that time gained satisfaction in knowing that they themselves owned the most desirable and expensive Geisha, raising their wealth status among other people surrounding them.Through utilising the dramatic dialogue in "My Last Duchess", Robert Browning depicts the ever-present oppressive nature of the duke with imagery suggesting that he is consumed with his desire for power and control. These desires are exemplified through his attitude towards his deceased wife. The Duke being the narrator of the poem is illustrated as being a jealous and controlling individual whom is consumed by his deceased wife's imperfections and her lack of living up to his outrageous standards. The poem is mentioned as having "tones of mockery", as the irony of the poem surfaces through the Duke's complaints of the Duchess's supposed "flaws". This is clearly demonstrated when the Duke describes her; "Too easily impressed; she liked what'er / She looked on, and her looks went everywhere". It is clear that the Duke believes that the Duchess's behaviour towards embracing other males is a defect. He sees this as she does not reserve all of her attention for him or his rank of power, mentioning "My gift of a nine-hundred-years-old name". "My Last Duchess" reveals a dysfunctional and repressive male-dominated relationship, that ultimately reflects a growing concern surrounding domestic violence evolving from the Victorian era.Similarly in Rob Marshall's adaptation of "Memoirs of a Geisha" he shows the power of the