Robert Browning and Euthanasia in the 19th Century

In his two poems "My Last Duchess" and "Porphyria's Lover," Robert Browning describes in great detail the issue of intimate violence and homicide. "My Last Duchess" mentions violence due to jealousy and a longing for his wife to be perfect, while in "Porphyria's Lover" the narrator is clearly troubled by his wife's condition and feels the need to kill her. Both of these lend some insight into the act of euthanasia in the 1800s; both characters feel the need to kill their partner out of mercy. In "My Last Duchess", the Duke seeks to kill his wife to save her from being imperfect. In "Porphyria's Lover" the narrator seems concerned that Porphyria will be corrupted and that he should take her life in her best moment, so as to save her from societal pressures such as vanity and pride. There is also some evidence that she is ill (Best). These two poems show that euthanasia was becoming more prominent during the 19th century, or rather to show that it was happening and explore its motivation and effects. From the two, "Porphyria's Lover" gives much more insight into the act and motivation.

One of the main reasons that euthanasia became more accepted in the 19thcentury was the weakening of the church and the emergence of more liberal religions and weak legislation against it (Welden). The lack of faith in God and furthermore the lack of fear is evident in the last line of Browning's "Porphyria's Lover" it reads: "And yet God has not said a word!" (Line 60). This is significant in that it shows the transitional stage of religion during the time period. The narrator still makes mention of God, but doubts his ability to interfere. Judging from the tone, he could also be daring God to punish him. The weak of legislation against assisted suicide during the 1800s shows that it was considered a legal gray area. This idea is shown in Browning's "My Last Duchess." The duke's reasonings for killing his wife were invalid and selfish, thus making the act of killing her immoral. The man the duke is talking about is disturbed by his actions, even though the duke tries to make his wife look as if something was wrong with her. This helps show the social repercussions involved in such an act.

It is suggested by J.T. Best that Porphyria's namesake could be the disease of the same name. That, coupled with the narrator's twice mention of pain, suggests that a painless death to stop pain was acceptable. The use of morphine during the era for both palliative care and euthanasia supports this (Welden). There is also some evidence that Porphyria may have been using morphine herself. Lines 41-45 describe her lack of pain, which could be a reference to morphine use; death by strangulation is generally painful. The mention of a bud and bee could be references to the poppy plant, although the context suggests he is speaking of her eyelids. The strongest case, however, is in line 45: "Laugh'd the blue eyes without a stain." Opiates cause the pupils to shrink to the point where they can essentially disappear. This would make Porphyria's eyes look completely blue and without stain. Morphine also puts one in a good mood, explaining the laughing expression in her eyes. During the late 1800s, morphine and opium were being used to put people into comas during their dying hour so as to reduce the pain they felt (Welden). It is not unlikely that Porphyria was at least heavily dosed on it if she was ill, which she probably was. Her pale skin, weak body, and night time outings seem to suggest that she is at least not well. The symptoms also seem to match the porphyria disease, as mentioned earlier (Best).

While a gray area even today, euthanasia was becoming commonplace during the 19th century due to advances in medicine, lack of legislation against it, and the weakening of the church. Morphine made palliative care a reality, thus reducing the suffering of people with terminal disease. It also found use in euthanasia due to the relatively quick and painless death. Robert Brownin's "Porphyria's Lover" infers the use of morphine and spite toward God, reinforcing the church's weak position. "My Last Duchess" deals more with the social and legal consequences of such an act. It also emphasizes the problem with allowing anyone to perform the act and the moral issues associated with it.

Works Cited

Browning, Robert. "Porphyria's Lover." The Oxford Book of English Verse. Ed. Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch. Bartleby.com. 1999. October 2008. http://www.bartleby.com/101/720.html

Browning, Robert. "My Last Dutchess." The Norton Introduction to Literature. Shorter ninth edition. Eds. Alison Booth, J. Paul Hunter, Kelly Mays. Page 827. Norton: New York: 2006.

Welden, Lauren. "An Historical Analysis of Aid in Dying: Understanding and Regulating the Relationship between Medicine and Death." LEDA at Harvard Law School. Winter 2007. 24 November 2008

Best, J.T. "Porphyria's Lover" - Vastly Misunderstood Poetry" The Victorian Web. 8 June 2007. 24 November 2008