Porphyria's Lover by Robert Browning... Destructive love...

The poem “Porphyria’s Lover” by Robert Browning is based on the concept of power and possession. It tells the story of passionate lovers. The effect of using dramatic monologue to convey this idea is very effective. “Porphyria’s Lover,” is the dramatic monologue seen from the perspective of the Lover. This could even be an internal monologue. The Lover is going through, in his head, the events of the previous day and night. The use of only one person speaking gives off the dominance which is important in the understanding of this poem.
The lover also shows his abnormal disposition: he is more than likely talking to himself as no one else is known to be present throughout his speech.

First of all, we are led to believe the “cottage” in which they meet is isolated and that it doesn't belong to either of them. This gives us the sense of secrecy and seclusion which is reflected in their love for each other. There also seems to be obstacles between where Porphyria has come from and the “cottage”, since Browning uses the “storm” as a metaphor to exemplify the intensity of their love by overcoming the barriers between them. Porphyria is seen as being graceful, as she “glided” (6) through the door and also as a very warm person, by the way she brings warmth into the cottage: “When she came in she shut the cold and the storm out” (7). It seems like right after the time she came into the room a moment of awkwardness and silence is created as shown in the sentence “When no voice replied…” (15). This lack of response leads Porphyria to be very seductive. She “put my arm about her waist and made her smooth white shoulder bare,” (16-17). She also tries to control the situation in a very loving way. She seems able to voice her feelings freely as well, “murmuring how she loved me” (21). All of these show her need for physical contact. She places her hair in a way that is appealing, etc... However, all this seduction does not satisfy the Lover. After this has happened, the Lover states his criticism of her, saying she is “too weak” (22). This however tells more about the character of the Lover than the one of Porphyria. It shows his very high expectations and his dissatisfaction. The Lover in this poem is very possessive of Porphyria. He believes that he is admirable enough to obtain Porphyria’s reverence “At last I knew Porphyria worshipped me” (32-33). We see his arrogance here, both in his expectation and in the way he feels worthy of this “worship”.

In the beginning of the poem, the Lover is regarded as being dissatisfied with Porphyria’s love for him. He is, around the end, seen as being very arrogant and vain. He believes he is a god-like figure worthy not only of Porphyria’s love but also of her worshipping him (which is extremely pretentious). He also thinks that he has the right to end her life which shows the mental issue the Lover had. He shows his insanity by his obsession with the idea of perfection of their love. He shows it in other ways, like his overpowering possessiveness, which leads him to kill Porphyria so that he can immortalize the moment of perfection. “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.” (37-41) It also seems like right afterwards he might be regretting his action because he repeats to himself twice: “No pain felt she; I am quite sure she felt no pain” (41-42). He wants to reassure himself that he did not do anything wrong and that she did not suffer so, therefore, in his mind, it was the best thing to do. However, another way he demonstrates his insanity is the fact that he opens her eyes and kisses her when she is dead. After he has done this he believes she “blushed bright beneath my burning kiss” (48). This behavior is both neurotic and frightening.

At the end, the lover has managed to convince himself that what he has done is right as “God has not said a word” (60). This is a worrying thought, and it makes the reader ask what the Lover expected God to do to show his objection, or disapproval. We are left to wonder how long they laid in each other’s arms and what, if anything, happens to the Lover. Such action can not remain unpunished. Killing by passion is, unfortunately, not that unusual and Browning does a great job depicting how destructive love can be.