Porphyria’s Lover
The rain set early in the night,
The sullen wind was soon awake,
It tore the elm‑tops down for spite,
And did its worst to vex the lake.
I listened with a heart fit to break.
When she glided in, Porphyria; straight
She shut the cold out and the storm,
And kneeled and made the cheerless grate
Blaze up, and all the cottage warm.
Which done, she rose, and from her form
Withdrew the dripping cloak and shawl,
And laid her soiled gloves by, untied
Her hat and let the damp hair fall.
And, last, she sat down by my side
And called me. When no voice replied,
She put my arm about her waist,
And made her smooth white shoulder bare.
And all her yellow hair displaced,
And, stooping, made my cheek lie there.
And spread, over all, her yellow hair,
Murmuring how she loved me — she.
Too weak, for all her heart’s endeavour,
To set its struggling passion free
From pride and vainer ties dissever,
And give herself to me forever.
But passion sometimes would prevail,
Nor could to‑night’s gay feast restrain
A sudden thought of one so pale
For love of her, and all in vain.
So she was come through wind and rain.
Be sure I looked up at her eyes,
Happy and proud; at last I knew
Porphyria worshipped me; surprise.
Made my heart swell, and still it grew
While I debated what to do.
That moment she was mine, mine, fair,
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. No pain felt she;
I am quite sure she felt no pain.
As a shut bud that holds a bee,
I warily opened her lids: again
Laughed the blue eyes without a stain.
Welcome, aspiring literary enthusiasts, to an exploration of one of English poetry’s most chilling and thought provoking works, Robert Browning’s “Porphyria’s Lover”. This poem invites readers into a deeply unsettling psychological study, presented through the eyes of a narrator whose perception of love takes a dark and unforgettable turn. Prepare to delve into its layers, uncover its secrets, and understand why this piece continues to captivate and disturb audiences.
Porphyria’s Lover Summary
The poem “Porphyria’s Lover” opens on a stormy, desolate night. The narrator, alone in his cottage, describes the harsh weather and his own melancholic state. Suddenly, Porphyria, a woman he clearly adores, arrives, bringing warmth and light into the gloomy room. She dismisses the storm, makes the cottage cozy, and then approaches the narrator, who remains silent and unresponsive at first. Porphyria then takes the initiative, drawing him close, baring her shoulder, and resting his cheek upon her flowing yellow hair, all while murmuring declarations of her love.
The narrator perceives Porphyria as being torn between her love for him and “vainer ties” or societal expectations. However, in that moment, as she expresses her devotion, he believes she is entirely his. Overwhelmed by this sense of absolute possession and a desire to preserve her love in its perfect, unblemished state, the narrator decides upon a horrific act. He strangles Porphyria with her own long yellow hair, winding it three times around her throat. He is convinced she feels no pain and that, in death, she remains “mine, mine, fair, / Perfectly pure and good.” The poem concludes with the narrator’s chilling contentment, believing his act has immortalized their love and that no divine judgment has been passed upon him.
Central Idea and Noteworthy Knowledge about Porphyria’s Lover
The central idea of “Porphyria’s Lover” revolves around the themes of obsessive love, control, and the dangerous distortion of reality within the mind of an individual. The narrator’s actions stem from a desire for absolute possession and an attempt to freeze a moment of perceived perfection, ultimately leading to a tragic and disturbing outcome.
This poem is a prime example of a dramatic monologue, a form perfected by Robert Browning. In a dramatic monologue, a single speaker addresses a silent listener, revealing their character, motivations, and often their psychological state, without any direct intervention from the poet. This technique allows readers to directly experience the narrator’s warped perspective, making the poem particularly unsettling. Browning masterfully uses this form to explore the darker aspects of human psychology, challenging conventional notions of love and morality.
In-depth Analysis of Porphyria’s Lover
Setting and Atmosphere
The poem begins with a vivid description of a wild, stormy night, immediately establishing a sense of foreboding and isolation. The “sullen wind” and its destructive actions, “It tore the elm‑tops down for spite,” create an external reflection of the narrator’s internal turmoil and the impending violence. The cottage, initially cold and cheerless, becomes a stark contrast when Porphyria enters, bringing warmth and light. This shift highlights her transformative effect on the narrator’s immediate environment, even as the external storm continues to rage, hinting at the internal storm within him.
The rain set early in the night,
The sullen wind was soon awake,
It tore the elm‑tops down for spite,
And did its worst to vex the lake.
Character Analysis
The Narrator: The unnamed narrator is the sole speaker, and his character is revealed entirely through his own words. He is passive at first, observing Porphyria’s actions without speaking. His silence, however, masks a deeply possessive and disturbed mind. He interprets Porphyria’s affection as worship, stating, “at last I knew / Porphyria worshipped me; surprise. / Made my heart swell”. His desire for control is absolute, leading him to believe that only by ending her life can he preserve her love and purity forever. His chilling calmness after the murder, “No pain felt she; / I am quite sure she felt no pain,” reveals a profound detachment from reality and a terrifying self-justification.
Porphyria: Porphyria is presented as a vibrant, active figure who brings warmth and life into the narrator’s desolate world. Her actions, such as shutting out the cold and making