The poem, "My Last Duchess", Why is the word "last" significant?

Question

Do you think this latest duchess was the first?  Why or why not?

Answer 1

"Last" infers that there is a "first," at least.  For example, you would not say "That was my last pencil" if it had been your only pencil.  If you had gotten divorced, you would say "my LAST ex-wife,"  not "my ex-wife," if you had more than one.