Robert Browning ” Porphyria Lover” Essay Example

of masculinity, leaving him to experience grief.

The speaker is infatuated with Porphyria, but due to her dominant role in their relationship, the speaker feels emasculated. This causes resentment, as it goes against the traditional gender roles. Despite Porphyria's control, the speaker notes her vulnerability when she expresses her love for him. Initially, Porphyria struggles between her obligations and being with the speaker. However, when she demonstrates her devotion, the speaker takes advantage of the opportunity to gain complete control. (Hacht 155)

The speaker regained control and felt his manhood restored, leading him to kill Porphyria to ensure her love for him would be everlasting. "Perfectly pure and good," he carried out the act by winding her hair around her throat three times and experienced no remorse for it (Browning 37-41). Annie Hacht points out that the killing reverses the roles between the speaker and Porphyria, establishing his dominance (155). He justifies his actions by believing he captured the essence of their relationship (Hacht 156).

Thus, the speaker opts to murder his lover willingly, for the sake of attaining control over her and their relationship. In "Porphyria's Lover" by Robert Browning, both lovers are entrapped within the grip of possessing absolute control. Browning's portrayal of Porphyria with dominance and the speaker with madness highlights the repercussions of an unsteady relationship. The characters remain oblivious to the damage they inflict upon each other and their union.