Crazy in Love

Crazy In Love

A general meaning of the term psychopath is when a person with an antisocial personality

disorder, manifested in aggressive, perverted, criminal, amoral behavior without empathy or

remorse. (Webster New Collegiate Dictionary)The term can also be used to illustrate a mental

and unstable person. A psychopath is exemplified in Robert Browning’s poem Porphyria’s

Lover,” In this dramatic monologue the speaker describes how and why he murders his dear

Porphyria. The speaker displays his psychotic his characteristics through his jealousy , possessive

behavior and his self deception.

One of the psychotic characteristics of the speaker would be his jealously. Browning

makes it quite obvious to the reader that Porphyria is an upper-class woman by describing her

wardrobe ‘[She] withdrew the dripping cloak and shawl, and laid her solid gloves by, untied her

hat and let her damp hair fall”(lines 11-13) this quote amplifies the speaker’s jealousy of her

wealth and her independence as a woman. He also envies her happiness and her simple pleasures

in life. As the story opens the speaker is awaiting for Porphyria to arrive home. At this point, the

speaker feels invidious. He feels this way because Porphyria Is away having a good time, while he

is alone in his cottage

Another psychotic characteristic of the speaker would be his possessive behavior. It is

quite obvious that Porphyria cares about the speaker. She travels in the storm just to see him.

Spears 2

When Porphyria enters into the cottage the speaker acknowledge her presence. “When glided in

Porphyria; straight she shut the cold out and the storm, and kneeled and made the cheerless

grate” (lines 6-8)This quote clarifies the cheer and happiness she brought throughout the speaker

home. ‘She then set the furnace, seize off her wet garments and let her damp hair fall. Soon

Porphyria beings murmuring to him, telling him how much she loves him. During the moment,

however, the speaker realizes that Porphyria will not leave her social obligations to be with him.

Upon his thoughts, he looks into her eyes, he then perceives that she adores him “ be sure I

looked up at her eyes happy and proud; at last I knew Porphyria worshiped me; surprise my heart

swell, and still it grew while I debated what to do” (lines 31-35)this quote emphasis that he has to

do something so he can capture this moment, the moment that he and Porphyria shares. The

speaker decides to grasp the moment by strangling Porphyria with her hair “In on long

yellow string I wound three times her little throat around and strangle her. No pain felt her; I am

quite sure she felt no pain.” (lines39-42 )The speaker kills Porphyria because he wants her all to

himself. He feels that killing her is the only way.