Porphyria's Lover

ebook: Porphyria's Lover

Sprache - Englisch

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About the eBook

"Porphyria's Lover" is Browning's first ever short dramatic monologue, and also the first of his poems to examine abnormal psychology. In the poem, a man strangles his lover – Porphyria – with her hair. Porphyria's lover then talks of the corpse's blue eyes, golden hair, and describes the feeling of perfect happiness the murder gives him. Although he winds her hair around her throat 3 times to throttle her, the woman never cries out. The poem uses a somewhat unusual rhyme scheme: A,B,A,B,B, the final repetition bringing each stanza to a heavy rest. Robert Browning (1812–1889) was an English poet and playwright whose mastery of dramatic verse, and in particular the dramatic monologue, made him one of the foremost Victorian poets. His poems are known for their irony, characterization, dark humor, social commentary, historical settings, and challenging vocabulary and syntax. The speakers in his poems are often musicians or painters whose work functions as a metaphor for poetry. "Porphyria's Lover" is Browning's first ever short dramatic monologue, and also the first of his poems to examine abnormal psychology. In the poem, a man strangles his lover – Porphyria – with her hair. Porphyria's lover then talks of the corpse's blue eyes, golden hair, and describes the feeling of perfect happiness the murder gives him. Although he winds her hair around her throat 3 times to throttle her, the woman never cries out. The poem uses a somewhat unusual rhyme scheme: A,B,A,B,B, the final repetition bringing each stanza to a heavy rest.


About the Author

Robert Browning (1812-1889) was a distinguished English poet and playwright known for his mastery of dramatic monologue, a poetic form that he significantly developed. Born in Camberwell, London, Browning grew up in a family where the arts were valued, and he was educated at home, drawing extensively from his father's 6,000-volume library. Best known for his psychological insight and character development, Browning's work stands as a testament to his innovative approach to Victorian poetry.

Browning's volume 'Porphyria's Lover,' first published in 1836 under the title 'Porphyria,' provides a vivid example of his use of dramatic monologue to explore complex human emotions and morbid psychologies. The poem delves into themes of love, obsession, and the dynamics of power. It also showcases his ability to create a compelling narrative within the confines of a single speaker's perspective. Browning's literary style is characterized by his use of enjambment, unconventional rhymes, and a penchant for dark, psychological complexity. These elements often challenge readers but reward with deeper meanings upon closer examination. His work influenced many, and his legacy endures in the canon of English literature, providing vital insights into the moral and philosophical challenges of his time (Mason, 2001).

Product Details

Publisher: DigiCat

Genre: Sprache - Englisch

Language: English

Size: 113 Pages

Filesize: 379.3 KB

ISBN: 8596547007258

Published: