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Critical Comparison of Porphyrias Lover and My Last Dutchess

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Critical Comparison of Porphyrias Lover and My Last Dutchess

Both of these poems are based around the concept of power and possesion. They tell the story of obssesional lovers. The effect of using dramatic monologue to convey this idea is very effective.

The first poem, Porphyrias Lover, was written in the mid ninteenth century, around 1842. It is the dramatic monologue of the Lover. It is not made known who the recipient of this poem is. I believe it to be an internal monologue, the Lover is going through in his head the events of the previous day and night.

The use of only one person speaking gives off the dominance which is important in the understanding of both poems.

The lover also shows his abnormal character, he …show more content…

After he has done this he believes she "blushed bright beneath my burning Kiss." This behavior is both neurotic and frightening.

Porphyria is seen as being graceful, she "glides" through the door and also as a very warm person, by the way she brings warmth into the cottage, When she came in she "shut the cold and the storm out". As the reader reads on we see her seductiveness, she "put my arm about her waist and made her shoulder bare" After this has happened the
Lover states his critisisem of her. He says she is "too weak" and proud and vain. This however tells more about the character of the
Lover than that of Porphyria, it shows his very high expectations and his dissatisfaction.

We are led to believe the cottage in which they meet is isolated and that it doesn't belong to either of them. This gives us the sense of secrecy and seclusion which is reflected in their love for each other.
There also seems to be barriers between where Porphyria has come from and the cottage , like the storm. This is also true in their relationship, and I think this comparative difference is a very effective image in putting across the sense of troubles that she encounters because of her inadequacy.

The poem moves on to be very warm and loving in contrast to this previous image of the storm. Yet the idea of a hidden uneasiness is shown subtly show through the

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