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This Porphyrias Lover Porphyrias Lover This poem demonstrates several of Robert Brownings defining characteristics as a poet. It contains his criticism towards the beliefs and practices of self-restraint and his traditional use of dramatic monologue to expose a single characters personality, which in turn often provides an additional depth to his works in coordination with his use of unpoetic language. Also taking into account the authors own personal experiences with his wife, the poem can also be perceived as a representation of the development of their relationship. Brownings criticism of the idea of self-restraint is evident throughout the poem Porphyrias Lover as it was shown in the internal debates both characters underwent as they decided whether or not they should consummate the love between them.
When no voice replied as the young lady approached, the speaker revealed his attempt to restrain himself from fulfilling his carnal desires. Porphyrias acts of seduction, the conscious intent of placing his arm around her waist and so on, demonstrate her own strong sense carnality. His attempts, however, to restrain himself were for naught because neither one of them were able to keep the struggling passion within them from overcoming their moral senses and from prevail (ing). The thought of Porphyria worship (ing) him gave him intense pleasure but also spawned an internal debate as to what (he) should do. This indecision clearly shows the hesitation he had in going against the traditional beliefs of chastity and the importance of self-restraint. Although at first glance, the reader may believe that Porphyria was murdered, looking carefully at the hidden connotations may prove this particular notion otherwise.
Unknown to most people today, it was believed that the idea of reaching an orgasm was the closest experience a human being may encounter without having to actually die. With that notion in mind carrying through to the poem, the act of strang (ling) her, holds the idea of the act of making love. After all, her body showed no sign of death after the act of strangulation; but rather, showed more sign of life as opposed to the damp (end), soiled and displaced image she was presented as having in the beginning of the poem. The speaker even reiterated the fact that Porphyria felt no pain as he strangled her. In the following images presented of her to the reader, her eyes laughed, her cheeks blushed as they kissed and her smiling rosy head laid nestled against his shoulder. Even the simple satisfaction that Porphyria felt to have her utmost will fulfilled reiterates the presence of life stirring within her.
Perhaps the appearance of the two not stir (ing) as they continued to laid there together would give the impression of death, but after reading what I have previously expounded on will display otherwise. Even at the very end of the poem, Browning shows that regardless of what may be acceptable to society, there is some unwritten tolerance that exists. This notion has come about simply because he stated that although the act was already completed, not even God has said a word in disagreement. The use of his dramatic monologue presents us with the seemingly one-sided perception that the speaker possesses, but after some careful analysis, one will see that this is untrue.
Although the events taking place were seen through the speakers eyes, there was more continual focus on the Porphyrias personality than that of the speaker. It speaks more of her desires and her wishes, revealing more about what she was all about. This idea and the use of unpoetic language is characteristic of Brownings work. Taking the authors history into account, one may well in fact view the poem as a representation of the progression of his relationship with Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Considering the arguments I have presented previously about the presence of subduing self-restraint and going against the socially accepted moral ethics of the society in which Browning was part of, the history between the author and his wife create an uncanny semblance, a parallel one might add, to the poems underlying context. The fact that he eloped with his wife, an act that was considered unacceptable during their time, displays one form for his life to be transformed into poetry. 32 a
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Research essay sample on Porphyrias Lover Dramatic Monologue
