Porphyria's Lover Character Links

Question 1

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Answer 1

Browning establishes from the very first line that the speaker’s emotions will play an important role within the poem.

Question 2

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Answer 2

At this point in the poem, Browning is evidencing the passivity of the speaker to emphasise the control that Porphyria had in the situation and ultimately the fact that the persona believes that through Porphyria’s provocative actions, she is responsible for her own death.

Question 3

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Answer 3

Browning is highlighting the fact that the speaker has a deranged mind and exhibits psychopathic tendencies which ultimately lead him to murder Porphyria.

Question 4

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Answer 4

Browning is highlighting the unreliability of the speaker and once more emphasising his instability and questionable thoughts. The speaker is so deluded that he believes he has freed Porphyria from the judgment and restrictions of Victorian society.

Question 5

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Answer 5

The persona’s obsessive emotions are made clear at this point as we realise the true dark nature of his mind.

Question 6

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Answer 6

At the final part of the poem, the speaker is celebrating his lack of punishment in a rather mocking tone- highlighting his arrogance. The calm account he gives of murder is particularly concerning and his dangerous mind is once more emphasised.