MY+LAST+DUCHESS+ANDREW+PARK+F

 Count’s Envoy

Count's Envoy You are the envoy of a Count, who has sent you to Duke Ferrara to negotiate a wedding between the Duke and the Count's daughter. Prior to dining with the Duke's other guests, he pulled a curtain aside and revealed to you the portrait of his last Duchess, whom he described to you. Based on your knowledge of the Duke through his own words, what kind of life can the Count's daughter expect as the new Duchess? Do you recommend that she marry the Duke? Why or why not? Use the Duke's own words to prepare your argument to the Count. Honorable Master, Dear Count

You might consider this letter as an unnecessary source of information. However, I think it is pretty important for you and your daughter’s future.Well, from what I have observed from the trip to Duke Ferrara’s place, I highly recommend you to reconsider this wedding. I am aware of the fact that this the marriage between your daughter and the Duke will result in numerous benefits such as increase in social status. If you truly care about your daughter and her future, please read my concerns. To begin, Duke Ferrara provided me an opportunity to take a look at a portrait of his last duchess. It was concealed, basically covered by a curtain forbidding strangers to look at it. I can understand if it was that he loved his last Duchess too much that he wanted it protected, but from the conversation I had with him, I interpreted that it was more like an obsession, greed, and desire. So the feeling I got from him was that he treated his Duchess more like his own property, rather than a lover. Also, because of his social background, he shows no respect towards others and this will apply to his wife as well, especially when she is in a different social class. Just to mention about his social class, he seemed extremely proud of his “nine- hundred-years -old name”. Even so, he looks like a disgrace to me for his great favor for “her breast”. I’m sorry for rushing through all my concerns without specific explanation. Anyways, I firmly suggest you to have a conversation with your dear daughter and do the best for her. Marriage cannot be accomplished without the couple’s love nor their respect toward each other. In this case I see neither.