Page "Porphyria's Lover" Paragraph 8

Since the speaker may ( as many speculate ) be insane, it is impossible to know the true nature of his relationship to Porphyria.

Theories, some of them rather bizarre, abound: some contemporary scholars suggest, for example, that the persona may be a woman ; if so, the strangulation could stem from frustration with the world.

An incestuous relationship has also been suggested ; Porphyria might be the speaker's mother or sister.

Another possibility is that she is a former lover, now betrothed, or even married, to some other man.

Alternatively, she may simply be some kind lady who has come to look in on him, or even a figment of his imagination.