Porphryia’s Lover
Context of the poem: Victorian Era, written by Robert Browning in 1836
Intro: Poem is about a mad man who murders his lover Porphyria for some unknown reason. He waits for her to arrive at his cottage, where he spurns her love and strangles her with her own hair. He then sits and contemplates his success in killing her. He feels as if he has successfully ‘kept her’ for himself.
Reality represented: Jealousy, madness, greed, selfishness, obsessive love, desire to control
Themes: Death, Madness, Darkness, Evil
Key words/language
| Word in the poem | Meaning in context |
| sullen | miserable, gloomy |
| vex | annoy, upset |
| grate | fireplace |
| endeavour | effort, attempt |
| vainer | worldly |
| dissever | cut off |
| prevail | win |
| warily | cautiously |
| tress | strand of hair |
| scorned | despised |
| oped | opened |
| utmost will | greatest wish |
Planning Template to help annotate your poems:
Links to class notes/power-points:
Porphyria_s Lover Lessons 1 and 2
SMILE analysis for Porphyria’s Lover:
SMILE example 2 (Ms Davies):
Miss K's Poetry Corner 