It was the story of two lovers who came together in the night to express their affection and devotion. So how exactly did this love story end in cruel, cold-blooded murder? Good evening and welcome to Poetry Break Down, I'm your host Mary Doe. Tonight we delve into the fascinating world of classic Victorian literature. Under the microscope is the canonized poet, the late Robert Browning. Browning's poetry was a reflection of his life and times living in Victorian England. Later this evening we will explore how his tenses came to play an important role in some of his greatest works, particularly in his revered poem The Lover of Porphyria. Published in 1836 (Catherine Maxwell, 1993, p.27), this appreciated text follows the murder of his beloved Porphyria, the lover of the enigmatic orator who, after inviting her to his cottage for a romantic tryst, strangles her. Stay tuned, because tonight we will explore how this poem has become a perfect representation of a society obsessed with the dominant concern of male dominance. Robert Browning's Porphyria's Lover skillfully embodies the male desire to dominate women in all spheres of life during the Victorian era. This construct of power is foregrounded as a dominant reading through a series of literary devices in the poem, relating to gender roles. Originally, the dramatic monologue highlights Porphyria and her strong presence in contrast to her passive male lover. He put his arm around my waist, and exposed his smooth white shoulder, and all his yellow hair was moved aside, and, bending down, he made my cheek lie. there(Browning, Porphyria's Lover, Lines 16-19)Porphyria dominates her partner's actions, forcing him to control her bare shoulder; a control symbol. Jemima Hazell of Poetry Break Down, goodnight Australia, told the story... half of the paper. Works Cited The Norton Anthology of English Literature: The Victorian Age: Introduction." The Norton Anthology of English Literature: The Victorian Age: Introduction 2010. Web. 23 February 2014 (http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/elizabeth -barrett-browning) "San Francisco Browning Society." Web. 24 February 2014. "Literature and Canon." English and Media Center, 2000. Web 24 February 2014 http://www.cswnet.com/~erin/rb6. htm catharine http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=RELEVANCE&inPS=true&prodId=LitRC&userGroupName=uq_stpatricks&tabID=T001&searchId=R1&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&contentSegment=&searchType=BasicSearchForm¤tPosition=1& contentSet=GALE%7CA1494 0605&&docId=GALE |A14940605&docType=GALE&role=LitRC