Analysis of "Porphyria's Lover" by Robert Browning: Relationships and Victorian Society
Explore the poem "Porphyria's Lover" by Robert Browning and its connection to themes of relationships within Victorian society. Understand the poet's intentions in depicting a dramatic monologue that delves into madness, societal expectations, and provocative actions. Consider the stormy setting, the portrayal of femininity, and the shocking outcome of the lovers' relationship.
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Presentation Transcript
Porphyrias Lover Porphyria s Lover Robert Browning Robert Browning LO to analyse the poem and consider how it is linked to the theme of relationships.
Porphyria is a Porphyria is a disease that can disease that can result in madness. result in madness. What might the What might the title suggest about title suggest about these lovers/ this these lovers/ this relationship? relationship?
About the poet: Robert Browning Born in 1812 Browning was a Victorian poet. He married another poet, Elizabeth Barrett Browning who was rather more successful than him. Published Porphyria s Lover in 1836. It is one of Browning s earliest and most shocking poems. Browning explores Victorian society s strict rules about women and their sexuality which would have been seen as immoral, a sin. Browning wanted to provoke a reaction within his Victorian reader.
Victorian England How were women viewed? How would a woman be viewed that married a man from a lower class? How would a woman be viewed who flaunted her body and sexuality? How would a woman be viewed who had an intimate relationship with a man before marriage?
This poem is dramatic monologue. A poem with a speaker that addresses the reader directly. It usually involves a fictional speaker that does not necessarily have the same views as the poet.
Why do you think the Why do you think the narrator murders his lover? narrator murders his lover? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSIm1KYZ0_I
The rain set early in tonight, The sullen wind was soon awake, It tore the elm-tops down for spite, And did its worst to vex the lake: I listened with heart fit to break. When glided in Porphyria; straight She shut the cold out and the storm, And kneeled and made cheerless grate Blaze up, and all the cottage warm; Which done, she rose, and from her form Withdrew the dripping cloak and shawl, And laid her soiled gloves by, untied Her hat and let the damp hair fall, And, last, she sat down by my side And called me. When no voice replied, She put her my arm about her waist, And made her smooth white shoulder bare, Why might Browning have a stormy night as the setting? What do we call this? What suggests that Porphyria flaunts her femininity? What might her lover think of this? Annotate the rest of this section
And all her yellow hair displaced, And. Stooping, made my cheek lie there, And spread, o er all, her yellow hair, Murmuring how she loved me she Too weak, for all her heart s endeavour, To set its struggling passion free From pride, and vainer ties dissever, And give herself to me forever. But passion sometimes would prevail, Nor could tonight s gay feast restrain A sudden thought of one so pale For love of her, and all in vain: So, she was come through wind and rain. Be sure I looked up at her eyes Happy and proud; at last I knew Porphyria worshipped me; surprise Made my heart swell, and still it grew While I debated what to do. Why might the speaker have repeated Porphyria s yellow hair ? Dissever means to break off The speaker suggests Porphyria has left some kind of party to be with him? What might this suggest about their relationship? Annotate the rest of this section
Perfectly pure and good: I found A thing to do, and all her hair In one long yellow string I wound Three times her little throat around, And strangled her. No pain felt she; I am quite sure she felt no pain. As a shut bud that holds a bee, I warily oped her lids: again Laughed the blue eyes without a stain. And I untightened next the tress About her neck; her cheek once more Blushed bright beneath my burning kiss: I propped her head up as before Only, this time my shoulder bore Her head, which droops upon it still: The smiling rosy little head, There is strong evidence here to say the speaker is mentally disturbed. What can you pick out? Explain its effect? How does Browning suggest the speaker feels once he has killed Porphyria? Annotate the rest of this section
So glad it has its utmost will, That all it scorned at once is fled, And I, its love, am gained instead! Porphyria s love: she guessed not how Her darling one wish would be heard. And thus we sit together now, And all night long we have not stirred, And yet God has not said a word! What is disturbing about this line? What does the last line suggest? Annotate the rest of this section
Do you think Do you think Porphyria loves the Porphyria loves the speaker? speaker? Does he love her? Does he love her? Explain your Explain your answer. answer.
