Compare the presentation of the Duke and Porphyria's lover in My Last

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Compare the presentation of the Duke and Porphyria's lover in My Last

Duchess and Porphyria's lover

Browning has presented The Duke and Porphyria's lover as obsessive and

controlling in the two poems. Telling the stories from the characters

point of view makes it clear that they both feel threatened by their

partners, and wish to regain the lead role they should have as the men

in their relationships. Rather than confronting their significant

others, they kill them because of their obsessive nature and lack of

communication. The Duke on one hand feels that he can only possess the

Duchess in a painting because he can control who looks upon her, where

as Porphyria's lover wants to capture Porphyria when he finally feels

in control.

The characters of both the Duke and Porphyria's lover are noticeable

through the relationships they have with their partners. It is clear

that they both have very similar intents, although for different

reasons. They are portrayed as jealous and untrusting of their

partners because of obvious insecurities they have in their

relationships. The Duke suspected that The Duchess was having an

affair with "Fra Pandalf":

" 't'was not/Her husband's presence only, called

that spot of joy into the Duchess' cheek' "

This implies that the Duchess blushed for others and therefore was

adulterous. He also suggests his wife gave sexual favours in return to

politeness when he says; "She thanked men - good!". Instead of being

concerned about losing her he was only worried that she would make a

fool of him and hurt his pride, as their relationship was not based on

love or passion but was merely a way for the Duke to show off. The

Duke only saw his wife as and object and not as a person a...

... middle of paper ...

...shows he has little in his life

accept Porphyria. The Duke has many objects and pieces his art,

showing his love for things not people. It also reminds us of the

Renaissance setting and shows that his is wealthy.

Comparing the two poems shows that Browning has a very pessimistic

view of relationships. It seems he feels that relationships without

love and admiration can never work and will end in disaster as is

apparent from "My Last Duchess". Ironically he also feels that a

relationship with love cannot be sustained either, which is evident

from "Porphyria's Lover". In "My Last Duchess" she dies because she

did not give the Duke the admiration he desired, but when in

"Porphyria's lover" Porphyria made her love for her lover clear, he

kills her anyway. This perhaps shows the aggressive nature of men and

how at the time they were very dominant in society.

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