Porphyria's Lover By Robert Browning

Every captivating tale centers around a forbidden love affair. The suspense draws in the reader, and his or her eyes remain glued to the page until the ending is revealed. Like other stories, “Porphyria’s Lover” focuses on a devastating love story with a horrid twist near the end. The tragic tale concludes with the maiden dying in the arms of her lover; however, the poem is vastly different than what one may assume. Robert Browning is unlike most authors throughout the Victorian era; he reveals a sinister vibe in his works. Because of the somber theme, the haunting imagery, and the dire symbols, one may predict the outcome of this dreadful tale. When the reader delves into the gloomy poem, he or she will discover the underlying theme by analyzing the setting. The poem introduces the ominous setting with a storm wreaking havoc on the world. Although the threatening weather prevents most from abandoning their safe homes, Porphyria braves the downpour to meet her lover in the dead of night. Because she deserts her warm bed and confronts the harsh storm, one may presume that she is having an affair. Browning implies this in his work when he declares, “A sudden thought of one so pale / For love of her, and all in vain / So, she was come through wind and rain” (28-30). In spite of Porphyria’s loyalty, the speaker is dissatisfied because Porphyria has not departed from her other lover, and the speaker does not want to share Porphyria’s love. Browning expresses this notion in the poem when he says, “To set its struggling passion free / From pride, and vainer ties dissever / And give herself to me forever” (23-25). Because the narrator wishes for Porphyria to be in the relationship wholeheartedly, he prevents her from returning to her partner as an alternative, and the author indicates this in the tragic tale when he states, “Three times her little throat around / And strangled her. No pain felt she …show more content…
Though the weather is a hurtle in Porphyria’s path that she must defeat to reach her lover, the hazardous storm also serves as a warning to the poor maiden, and the writer suggests this through the quote when he states, “It tore the elm-tops down for spite / And did its worst to vex the lake / I listened with heart fit to break” (3-5). The alarming storm symbolizes the murder that will take place later that night and serves as a sign, which Porphyria dismissed. Another example of symbolism is Porphyria’s golden locks of hair, and the author often refers to the delicate strands throughout the poem. Browning says, “And spread, o’er all, her yellow hair / Murmuring how she loved me—she / Too weak, for all her heart’s endeavor” (20-22). Because yellow hair represents virtue, Porphyria’s blonde hair signifies her innocence, and the quote elaborates on her ignorance. Despite the dreadful turn of events, Browning strategically crafts symbolism into the poem. In conclusion, “Porphyria’s Lover” is a vulgar piece of literature. However, Browning engages the reader throughout the poem by creating a bleak theme. Also, imagery is used to paint a picture in one’s mind of the devastating event. Lastly, symbolism is hidden throughout the work and forces the reader to dig a little deeper to comprehend the story. Overall, one should beware