My Last Duchess and Porphyry’s Lover Essay Example

structure of the poem, with the inclusion of caesura, enjambment, and the use of dramatic monologue. In a dramatic monologue, one speaker presents a biased narrative from their perspective, often with an implied listener. An example of caesura can be found in the line "sir, twas not all one! My favour at her breast, the dropping of the daylight in the west," where the Duke's tone becomes more enraged as the pace quickens.

The utilization of the Caesura in Porphyry's lover creates a sense of tranquility within the reader as they perceive the protagonist to be calm. The incorporation of metaphors in the poem further highlights themes of madness and love. For instance, the line "that's my last Duchess painted on the wall, looking as she is alive" implies that the painting has been executed with such precision that it appears lifelike. Similarly, in "Porphyry's Lover," the metaphorical description of the subject as she "glided in Porphyries" suggests a peaceful entrance into the cottage.

The text demonstrates the lover's desire for his beloved to be seen as flawless and emphasizes her purity. Both poems incorporate imagery effectively, particularly in depicting the Duchess's reaction when she sees other men, which incites the Duke's jealousy. The male speakers initially appear to be ordinary individuals, with verses like "I listened with a heart fit to break" (Porphyria's Lover) and "wilt you please sit down and look at her" (My Last Duchess), which convey a sense of composure. However, both speakers eventually succumb to insanity, as shown by the line "she thanked men-good! But thanked I do not know" (My Last Duchess).

The text implies that the events described are merely products

of the Dukes' imagination and do not reflect reality. In "Porphyry's Lover", the line "Too weak in her hearts indever to, set it struggerling passion free" highlights the escalating madness of the lover. Similarly, in "My Last Duchess", the woman's behavior is also questionable as she rides around the terrace and receives affectionate attention from others, indicating potential disloyalty towards her husband and provoking his insecurity and madness.

The woman depicted in "Porphyry's Lover" challenges societal norms during the Victorian era. As previously mentioned, the poem is set in this specific time period, which generally frowned upon extramarital relationships. The Victorians not only disapproved of such relationships, but also condemned anyone involved in them, subjecting them to ridicule within society. In both poems, the female characters are portrayed as morally compromised rather than conforming to the idealized image of the "angel" within the home. Their sexuality is emphasized through phrases such as "passion of her Ernest glance" (from "My Last Duchess") and "she shut out the cold and the storm" (from "Porphyry's Lover"). These portrayals ultimately drive the lovers to commit acts of murder.

As the obsession for love intensifies, the male individuals depicted in the poems resort to killing their beloveds in order to achieve their desires. In one instance, the Duke, driven by possessiveness, arranges for his lover to be strangled by an unknown individual. This is evident from his statement, "I gave commands, and then all smiles stopped together... half-flush that dies along her throat." On the other hand, the speaker in "Porphyry's Lover" openly admits to the murder and describes it as a simple act of strangulation, saying, "In one long string, I

wound it three times around her little neck, and strangled her."

This indicates that there was no conflict, although we cannot verify its accuracy since we only have one perspective. The ease with which he allegedly kills Porphyry portrays his disturbed mental state. In summary, I believe that the connection between the themes is evident in both poems, as the men begin as seemingly ordinary individuals but rapidly transform into madmen driven by their love for their partners. This transformation is a result of unrequited love, which leads to obsession and ultimately prompts them to take action.