Porphyria's Lover: The Euthanizer

Porphyria’s Lover: The Euthanizer On first read of the poem “Porphyria’s Lover” by Robert Browning most would assume the speaker is simply insane for killing his lover. Upon further investigation one could also realize that this was a premeditated murder by the speaker, in an attempt to euthanize his love as she is sick with Porphyria. This verdict can be reached after considering the clues which indicate that Porphyria is sick and how the speaker behaves before and after the murder. “[The Disease] Porphyria refers to a group of disorders that result from a buildup of natural chemicals that produce porphyrin in your body. …. High levels of porphyrins can cause significant problems” (Mayo Clinic: Porphyria) The speaker makes mention to many things about Porphyria that indicate that she may be ill. In the opening lines of the poem the speaker says that Porphyria comes in at night. This indicates the possibility that his love may be photosensitive, which is a symptom of the disease Porphyria. Other …show more content…
She begins to strip down, and in the 1830’s it would be inappropriate for a woman to undress in front of a man unless they had a deeper intimate connection. When she tries to speak with him, the speaker does not respond. (15) Clearly these two are in an intimate relationship, why would he ignore her if he was spoken to? It seems the speaker has something else on his mind, Porphyria continues to touch him and he still does not respond. Next Porphyria expresses to the speaker the fact that she is “Too weak, for all her heart's endeavor, / To set its struggling passion free” (22-23). She is saying that she is too sick to have sex today, although “... passion sometimes would prevail, “ The speaker's thoughts snap back to his love’s sickness “A sudden thought of one so pale / For love of her, and all in vain:”