Comparing 'My Last Duchess And Porphyria's Lover'

When we think of famous writers that emerged from Britain, most people first think of Shakespeare and perhaps Milton as well. A significant writer that is sometimes not always remembered in the spotlight is Robert Browning. Browning in irrefutably the best there ever was at writing and manipulating dramatic monologues. In fact, dramatic monologues can’t even really be brought up or studied without the mention of Browning. Two of Browning's most famous dramatic monologues are My Last Duchess and Porphyria’s Lover. On the surface these two texts may seem very much the same, on the contrary however, upon further study there are many clear differences. In Robert Browning's Last Duchess and Porphyria’s Lover, there are similarities such as the

In Browning's My Last Duchess it is clear that everything makes the Duchess smile and feel happy, except her husband. The Duke and Duchess’ marriage was arranged, as usual, based solely on wealth and class. Simply put, the Duchess did not love the Duke and therefore he cause her little joy. Browning writes, “Oh sir, she smiled, no doubt, whene’er I passed her; but who passed without much the same smile?” (Lines 43-45) The Duchess smiled at him as they passed by out of respect, but did the same for every individual she encountered. Porphyria on the other hand, feels the complete opposite about her lover. Browning describes, “And, last, she sat down by my side and called me. When no voice replied, she put my arm about her waist, and made her smooth white shoulder bare, and all her yellow hair displaced, and, stooping, made my cheek lie there… Murmuring how she loved me.” (Lines 14-21) This scene description paints a clear picture of Porphyria’s love for her partner. She not only walked through the rain for a long period of time to arrive at this cottage to meet him, but she also started and fire, tried to show him affection and tell him how much she loved him. Clearly, the female characters in these monologues, the Duchess and Porphyria, have very different attitudes towards their

Even though the woman in these dramatic monologues are polar opposites, the men show many similarities. Both male figures have a strong need for control, an aspect of the monologues that was intentional by Browning. In My Last Duchess, the duke responds to his wife's happiness in very negative way saying, “But thanked somehow - I know not how - as if she ranked my gift of nine-hundred-year-old name with anybody's gift.” (Lines 31-34) He believes that because he gave her the gift of his well respected name and wealth that he should be the only thing that makes her happy. When he’s not the only thing that makes her happy, he responds with, “This grew, I gave commands; then all the smiles stopped together” (Lines 45-46) He had her killed simply because she dared to smile at anything other than himself. He clearly wanted to maintain all control over her, even what she smiled at. A study on Victorian ideals by McKendree University describes, “Women in the Victorian society had one main role in life, which was to marry and take part in their husband's’ interests and business.” which fully supports that Browning is describing in his monologue. Porphyria’s lover in Porphyria’s Lover, acts the same way. When he strangles Porphyria to death, it is done solely for control. Porphyria’s lover describes, “I propped her head up as before, only. This time my shoulder bore her head,