“But passion sometimes would prevail,” these are the words of Robert Browning from his poem Porphyria’s Lover, which was first published in 1836. This particular poem is one of Browning’s earliest and most controversial pieces. In this literary work, the speaker is visited by an admirer, Porphyria, who has gone against the rules of society to be with her lover and reveal her “heart’s endeavor” for him. Society during the Victorian Age prohibited imprudent modesty, however, Porphyria made a decision to risk her social standings in order to visit her beloved and prove to him that passion is an uncontrollable power. Throughout the poem, the author has figuratively displayed the behavior of an individual who is deeply in love and what actions they have taken despite the fact that their social reputation could be at risk.
The Victorian Age was a society controlled by strict codes of conduct, however, even with these restrictions authors and artists strategized to express notorious affairs that took place. In relation to the poem, the whole scenario that occurs completely demoralizes society’s values of the time. The behavior of Porphyria can be labeled as inappropriate due to the fact that she is risking her status in society. “Porphyria worshipped me, surprised,” this excerpt states the affection of Porphyria for the speaker, and gives readers the idea of her immodesty especially in regard to the era. Victorian literature was known for combining romance and emotion, but this exhilarating poem exaggerates the story of a man who is obsessed with Porphyria. Overall, the poem portrays the victory of one man despite the rules of society.
Women were taught to replicate fragile delicate flowers incapable of making their own decisions and ensuring that they had proper morals and values. Whether married or single, all Victorian Women were presumed to be weak and helpless. This was just the way of society during this time period. The morals and values of women in the Victorian era vastly differ from those that society upholds today. Due to the various moral behaviors that were strictly allowed in civilization many problems aroused to the limitation of manners and how an individual can think, act or what they can stand for. In the poem, it is clearly depicted that Porphyria is going against the rules of her time era in order to satisfy her desires.
Prudence in regards to the men and women of the Victorian age was a key aspect of social standard, however, this poem relates to a more imprudent structure. During the Victorian age, if a woman took a lover it was essential to not make it public. If it did become public knowledge, the woman would be segregated from society and practically banished, but on the other hand, this would not affect the social life of the man. The speaker, being conceited and vain yearns for Porphyria’s affection for all eternity. This instigates his decision of strangling her, resulting in a crime of passion.
As a Victorian writer of the 19th century, Robert Browning explored the uncontrollable power of passion in the poem, Porphyria’s Lover, and displayed immodest behavior of those who are obsessed. This controversial piece of literature displays affection that is lacking humility to social standings of the era. It portrays the strict civilization of the Victorian age and the “dissever” between men and women. By exposing this tendentious topic to readers, Browning has opened the hearts and minds proving that passion can be a source of immorality.
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