Compare and contrast Browning's portrayal of the protagonists in 'Porphyria's Lover' and 'My Last Duchess'.

... Compare and contrast Browning's portrayal of the protagonists in 'Porphyria's Lover' and 'My Last Duchess'. The Last Duchess and Porphyria are both illustrations of how women who do not conduct themselves in socially acceptable ways, or exhibit behaviour deplorable towards their lovers, are mistreated and eliminated. Although the settings of these dramatic monologues are centuries apart, through reading the 'sub-text' it is possible to identify that several aspects of human nature hardly change at all and to uncover many unpalatable truths about the male protagonists and their treatment of their partners. The impression we are given is that the Duchess was relatively young and inexperienced as the wife of a man holding such rank and responsibility. The Duke states her to be; ' ... too soon made glad, Too easily impressed'. The Duke saw the Duchess's flirtatious behaviour towards other men as unacceptable behaviour for his wife. However what

want to read more? →