Understanding the poem 'Porphyria's Lover' by Robert Browning
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how Browning presents a transgressive and abusive relationship.
Key learning points
- The poem starts with the speaker feeling unsettled but is soon warmed physically and emotionally by Porphyria's arrival.
- Porphyria begins to undress and instigates intimacy with the speaker.
- The speaker seems to want ownership of Porphyria and is jealous she has a life outside of his.
- The speaker strangles Porphyria with her own hair and marvels how he can then keep Porphyria like a doll.
- Browning was writing at a time when Porphyria's sexual and suggestive manner would have been transgressive.
Keywords
Unsettled - to be in a state of uncertainty or unease
Instigate - to initiate or provoke an action or event
Transgressive - involving actions that go beyond accepted boundaries or norms
Marvel - to be filled with wonder or astonishment; to admire greatly
Misogyny - hatred, prejudice or discrimination against women
Common misconception
The speaker kills Porphyria out of love, and his actions can be seen as a romantic gesture.
The speaker's actions aren't a romantic gesture but a sign of his disturbed mind. His love is possessive and obsessive, shown by his desire to control Porphyria. The calm tone he uses to describe the murder show his detachment from reality.
Teacher tip
Browning was said to have been influenced by several high-profile and gruesome murders which happened around the time he was writing the poem. You may wish to explore these in your contextual introduction to the poem.
Equipment
Students will need access to a copy of 'Porphyria's Lover' by Robert Browning which can be found in the AQA 'Love and Relationships' anthology and the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of sexual violence
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Robert Browning wrote the entirety of his work in the 1800s. As such he is ...
Q2.Robert Browning was particularly well known for writing narrative poems from a particular character's perspective. What would we call these poems?
Q3.Robert Browning was writing through most of the Victorian era, a time known for its ...
Q4.If you 'marvel' at someone or something then you are filled with ...
Q5.Which of the below are reasonable synonyms of the word 'instigate'?
Q6.Browning wrote 'Porphyrias's Lover' at a time when Victorian readers would have considered Porphyria's overtly sexual and suggestive manner as ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who wrote the poem 'Porphyria's Lover'?
Q2.The poem 'Porphyria's Lover' opens as a violent is taking place.
Q3.Starting with the first, put these events from 'Porphyria's Lover' in chronological order.
Q4.Which of the below are major themes in the poem 'Porphyria's Lover'?
Q5.Complete this quotation from the poem 'Porphyria's Lover': "And laid her gloves by".
Q6.Complete this quotation from 'Porphyria's Lover': "A sudden thought of one so for love of her".
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Understanding the poem 'Porphyria's Lover' by Robert Browning, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 English lesson on: Understanding the poem 'Porphyria's Lover' by Robert Browning, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 English lessons from the Love and relationships poetry continued unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.