Final answer:
In 'Porphyria's Lover,' the female is portrayed as dominant and assertive, which contrasts with the initially passive male who eventually exerts control through violence. She differs from the Duchess in 'My Last Duchess' who is innocent and controlled, and relates more closely to Chitra in Tagore's poem, who is also dominant and self-assured.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Porphyria's Lover by Robert Browning, the female character is depicted with a complex combination of traits, but she is best described as dominant and assertive. She actively takes charge of the situation by making the first move to meet her lover and initiate their encounter; this demonstrates a departure from the passive female roles often showcased in literature of that era. In contrast, the male character is described as passive, not making a move until he decides to murder Porphyria in an attempt to preserve the moment of her love. This is portrayed as a violent assertion of control, yet his earlier passivity and later actions suggest a complex character dynamic.
Comparing this portrayal to other female characters in literature, Porphyria is more dominant than, for instance, the Duchess in Browning's My Last Duchess, who is shown as a victim of her husband's lethal jealousy. The Duchess is depicted as innocent and helpless against the Duke's pathological control. On the other hand, Chitra in Rabindranath Tagore's poem Chitra displays her dominance similarly to Porphyria, wielding immense self-assurance and strength in her actions and choices, challenging traditional gender roles.