In the poem, "My Last Duchess," what is the theme of the poem?

With any work of literature there is a multiplicity of
possible themes that can be drawn out. However, examining this poem, the main message or
theme that appears to me is that of pride. As the narrator of the poem is the Duke
himself who, we discover, was so jealous of his former wife and the attention that he
perceived she gave to others, that he "gave commands" (indicating that he had her put to
death), we see everything through his eyes, and we must piece together his character. So
sure of his own situation and position that he happily narrates this tale of his "last
Duchess" to the very emissary who is organising his next marriage, almost as if it is a
warning of the kind of behaviour he expects and demands from a wife. When we think of
this, we begin to see this narrative in a different way. Really, the Duke is using this
story to outline the conditions of his future marriage and the kind of submission that
he feels he deserves from his next wife. Note what he says of his last
wife:

--and
if she let

Herself be lessoned so, nor plainly
set

Her wits to yours, forsooth, and made
excuse,

--E'en then would be some stooping; and I
choose

Never to
stoop.

Note what these lines
reveal about the Duke. He is obviously a proud man who considers it beneath his position
and dignity to discuss with the Duchess his concerns about her reactions to other men.
He clearly believes that his wants should be anticipated without the need for him to
"stoop" to ask for anything. Obviously this presents the theme of pride, as we are
struck by the arrogance of the Duke and the way he both reacted to his "last Duchess"
and his demands of total compliance of his next wife.