"Porphyria's Lover" by Robert Browning and "The Farmer's Bride" by Charlotte Mew are both classic poems that explore the theme of romantic longing and its destructive consequences. While they have different settings and narratives, they share similarities in presenting the darker aspects of unfulfilled desire and obsession in romantic relationships. Let's examine how each writer portrays romantic longing as a destructive force in their respective poems:
"Porphyria's Lover" by Robert Browning:
The poem tells the story of a man who is passionately in love with Porphyria, but societal norms and her higher social status prevent them from being together. In a moment of overwhelming desire and jealousy, the speaker decides to take matters into his own hands. He strangles Porphyria with her own hair, believing that by doing so, he can preserve the perfect moment of love forever.
Obsession: The speaker's romantic longing is depicted as an all-consuming obsession. He desires complete control over Porphyria, which ultimately leads to her death. His intense desire for possession and a perfect moment of love drives him to commit a heinous act.
Destructive Nature of Love: Browning portrays love as a powerful, destructive force that can lead to madness and violent actions. The speaker's inability to fulfill his romantic desires within the constraints of society causes him to resort to violence to preserve the moment of love he so desperately desires.
Isolation and Madness: The poem also highlights the isolation and madness that can result from unfulfilled love. The speaker's sense of being marginalized and unable to have what he desires pushes him to a breaking point, leading him to commit a terrible act in the name of love.
"The Farmer's Bride" by Charlotte Mew:
In this poem, the narrator tells the story of a farmer who marries a young bride. The bride is described as innocent, wild, and untamed. However, she is overwhelmed by the responsibilities of marriage and becomes frightened by her husband. As a result, she withdraws emotionally and physically, leaving the farmer feeling rejected and unfulfilled in his desire for intimacy.
Repressed Desire: The farmer's romantic longing for intimacy and companionship is repressed due to his bride's fear and reluctance. The lack of a fulfilling romantic relationship leads to frustration and emotional turmoil for the farmer.
Loss of Innocence: The poem explores the theme of innocence lost through the bride's forced marriage. Her youthfulness and untamed nature are stifled by the responsibilities of marriage, which leads to her withdrawal and emotional distance. This loss of innocence in the context of romance can have destructive consequences for both partners.
Communication Breakdown: The poem suggests that a lack of effective communication between the husband and wife contributes to the destructive nature of their relationship. The bride's inability to articulate her feelings and the farmer's frustration with her withdrawal create a rift that cannot easily be mended.
In both poems, romantic longing is depicted as a destructive force, leading to tragic outcomes for the characters involved. Unfulfilled desires, obsession, and societal constraints are some of the key elements that drive the destructive nature of love in these poems. The writers use these themes to explore the darker aspects of human emotions and the consequences of unbridled passion.