Porphyria's Lover (Part 2)

In this lesson, we will explore how Browning has used language, form and structure to present ideas about possession in 'Porphyria's Lover'. This lesson covers a poem that describes the violent death of a woman. If this is a sensitive topic to you, we recommend checking with a trusted adult before starting, or completing the lesson with a trusted adult nearby.

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Q1.Which sentence is an example of delusional behaviour?

I saw a picture of a unicorn once before, so they are real. They can bring you good luck. I had such an amazing time in town that I wanted to talk about it all night, but I knew that would annoy my friends. Suddenly, I realised I had to leave the party to pick up my younger sister from her friend's house. All she did was talk about herself all evening, she never once asked how I was.

1/5

Q2.True or false: A dramatic monologue is a type of poetry, in which a single speaker narrates the entire text to a silent listener, without any interruption.

True False

2/5

Q3.What ideas were central to many of Browning’s dramatic monologues?

Love, lust, and passion. Love, life, and death. Love, lust, and death. Love, lust, and patriarchy.

3/5

Q4.Finish the sentence: "In Victorian society, women were expected to ____________"

Look after themselves. Provide a warm and comfortable home for their husbands. Be confident and follow their own desires and passion.

4/5

Q5.Complete the quotation: "Happy and proud; at last I knew / Porphyria __________ me;"

Wanted Worshipped Desired Believed

5/5

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Q1.Which sentence is an example of delusional behaviour?

1/5

Q2.True or false: A dramatic monologue is a type of poetry, in which a single speaker narrates the entire text to a silent listener, without any interruption.

True False

2/5

Q3.What ideas were central to many of Browning’s dramatic monologues?

Love, lust, and passion. Love, life, and death. Love, lust, and death. Love, lust, and patriarchy.

3/5

Q4.Finish the sentence: "In Victorian society, women were expected to ____________"

Look after themselves. Provide a warm and comfortable home for their husbands. Be confident and follow their own desires and passion.

4/5

Q5.Complete the quotation: "Happy and proud; at last I knew / Porphyria __________ me;"

Wanted Worshipped Desired Believed

5/5

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This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

'Porphyria's Lover' by Robert Browning: Language, Form and Structure

A review quiz to check your understanding of the key vocabulary, the language, the form, and the structure used in the poem 'Porphyria's Lover' to explore ideas of identity.

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Q1.Select the pair of synonyms for "possession".

Power & Beauty Power & Identity Ownership & Control Ownership & Freedom

1/5

Q2.Choose one method that Browning uses to demonstrate the speaker's control over Porphyria?

He paints a picture of her so he can be reminded of her forever. He preserves her angelic purity and beauty by murdering her. He asks her to stay the night and then kills her.

2/5

Q3.True or false. Porphyria tells the speaker that she worships him.

True False

3/5

Q4.Why might Browning have used enjambment in the poem?

To symbolise Porphyria's long and flowing yellow hair. To demonstrate how powerful societal expectations are. Because he could not fit the words on one line. To illustrate Porphyria's overspilling passion in the first half of the poem.

4/5

Q5.The use of dramatic monologue gives the reader insight into the speaker's thoughts. Why else might Browning have used it?

To demonstrate how the speaker also has possession over the conversation. To show the reader that the speaker does not want to talk to anyone about the brutal murder. To reflect how Victorian society was controlled by men. To inform the reader of Browning's personal beliefs and desires.

5/5

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

'Porphyria's Lover' by Robert Browning: Language, Form and Structure

A review quiz to check your understanding of the key vocabulary, the language, the form, and the structure used in the poem 'Porphyria's Lover' to explore ideas of identity.

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Q1.Select the pair of synonyms for "possession".

Power & Beauty Power & Identity Ownership & Control Ownership & Freedom

1/5

Q2.Choose one method that Browning uses to demonstrate the speaker's control over Porphyria?

He paints a picture of her so he can be reminded of her forever. He preserves her angelic purity and beauty by murdering her. He asks her to stay the night and then kills her.

2/5

Q3.True or false. Porphyria tells the speaker that she worships him.

True False

3/5

Q4.Why might Browning have used enjambment in the poem?

4/5

Q5.The use of dramatic monologue gives the reader insight into the speaker's thoughts. Why else might Browning have used it?

5/5

Lesson summary: Porphyria's Lover (Part 2)

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The next lesson in AQA Love and Relationships Poetry is "Neutral Tones (Part 1)"

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