Irony in "Porphyria's Lover"

In “Porphyria’s Lover” by Robert Browning, the poet utilizes irony to convey the theme of the poem. The speaker tells a story of love and passion, but really it is a story about the speaker unnoticeably murdering his lover. As the monologue progresses throughout, it becomes apparent to the reader that the speaker is a psychopathic killer. The speaker first believes that Porphyria is too weak to let go and love him, “Too weak, for all her heart’s endeavour, / To set its struggling passion free” (Browning 720). He then convinces himself that she finally does love him, “Happy and proud; at last I knew/ Porphyria worshipped me; surprise” (720). At this point it is clear that he is an obsessive man because, instead of enjoying the time he is spending with her he ponders what to do to her. The speaker wants to hold her perfection and love forever so he strangles her with her own hair. He assures the silent listener that he did it for a good cause and she felt no pain; “Three times her little throat around, / And strangled her. No pain felt she;” (720). He believes that by murdering her, he is able to make her happy and fulfill “Her darling one wish” (720). It is ironic how the speaker is able to stay calm in a straightforward manner while remaining unaware of his deranged actions. The title of this poem is sarcastic and ironic as well—“Porphyria’s Lover”. It is apparent that he is not her lover, she is his. The speaker has made Porphyria into his lover, forever.

Erika Knutson