The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary

The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary Accredited with an impressive total of 154 sonnets, William Shakespeare is one of the most frequently quoted sonneteers in history. His sonnets were first published in a quarto in 1609, titled “SHAKE-SPEARES SONNETS. Never before Imprinted.” They encompass a wide range of themes, including love, beauty, and immortality. Hailed as “the most precious pearls of Elizabethan lyricism,” many of his sonnets are regarded as unsurpassed in their beauty, establishing Shakespeare as the greatest sonneteer of his era. Written around 1594, his sonnets were registered by Thomas Thorpe in the Stationer’s Register on May 20, 1609.

The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary The term ‘sonnet’ is derived from the Italian word ‘sonnetto,’ which means “sound” or “strain.” In its early form, the sonnet was a short poem often accompanied by music.

The sonnet form emerged in English literature during the 16th century, coinciding with the height of the English Renaissance. The origins of the sonnet can be traced back to the Italian poet Giacomo Da Lentini and were popularized by Petrarch, whose influence was crucial to its development in England. After a period of decline following Chaucer, interest in Petrarch was revived by Sir Thomas Wyatt and Henry Howard, the Earl of Surrey. In their pioneering anthology, Songes and Sonettes—more commonly known as Tottel’s Miscellany (1557)—the Earl of Surrey adapted the Petrarchan sonnet form and helped create the English sonnet.

The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary The English sonnet, more popularly known as the Shakespearean sonnet, consists of three quatrains (stanzas of four lines each) followed by a concluding couplet, all structured around an ababcdcdefefgg rhyme scheme in iambic pentameter (though some sonnets have been written in tetrameter and hexameter). The Shakespearean sonnet is celebrated for its clarity, simplicity, and dynamism, allowing the poet to introduce a conflict in the three quatrains, which is then resolved in the final couplet. These conflicts may involve themes of love, lust, life, friendship, heartbreak, beauty, mortality, and immortality. Historically, sonnets have been dedicated to love, exploring both its triumphs and tribulations.

In contrast, the Petrarchan sonnet is divided into two sections, each with distinct rhyme schemes. Petrarch famously wrote his sonnets to his beloved Laura, while Dante dedicated his to Beatrice, and Edmund Spenser addressed his ‘Amoretti’ to his beloved Elizabeth Boyle, recounting his courtship of her.

The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary vShakespeare’s sonnets are dedicated to a mysterious figure known as ‘W.H.’—“the only begetter” of all his sonnets. The identity of W.H. has sparked much debate and speculation; some critics attribute the initials to William Herbert, the Earl of Pembroke, while many believe they refer to Henry Wriothesley, the Earl of Southampton. The first 126 sonnets are addressed to a young man, where the poet expresses the pain of unrequited or forbidden love and the fleeting nature of beauty. The remaining sonnets focus on an unidentified Dark Lady, where the poet critiques her ability to seduce and ultimately deprive him of love and friendship. The themes of love and lust create a tension throughout the sonnets.

Wordsworth once remarked, “With this key, Shakespeare unlocked his heart,” reflecting the common perception that the sonnets serve as autobiographical windows into the poet’s emotional struggles. Many believe the sonnets provide the clearest insight into Shakespeare’s emotional crises. They are among his most renowned works, celebrated for their exquisite imagery, unparalleled style, and lyrical beauty. The sonnets can be categorized thematically.

The first 17 sonnets are referred to as ‘procreation sonnets,’ where the poet extols the unmatched beauty of the young man while acknowledging the ephemeral nature of life and the relentless passage of time. He urges the young man to marry and reproduce swiftly to preserve his lineage and beauty.

Sonnets 18–77 and 87–126 are known as ‘The Fair Youth Sonnets.’ In these, the poet showers the young man with praise and confesses his deep, unrestrained love. The imagery employed draws from nature, emphasizing the depth of his emotions. The themes here are more varied and unpredictable than those of the procreation sonnets. For example, the line “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?” expresses the poet’s desire to immortalize the youth in his eternal verse.

The Dark Lady sonnets, which range from 127 to 154, delve into the poet’s complex relationship with his mistress. These sonnets are characterized by their explicit eroticism and themes of betrayal and jealousy as the poet grapples with the young man’s attraction to the Dark Lady. The final two sonnets feature Greek epigrams about Cupid, the “little love-god.”

Shakespeare’s sonnets contain some of the most quoted love lyrics in existence. Their enduring quality lies in their exploration of the complexities of human emotion, making them universal and relatable. While the subjects may differ, the feelings expressed are raw and authentic, ensuring their status as some of the most celebrated works in world literature.

The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary Distilled with a powerful autobiographical resonance, Shakespeare’s sonnets express veiled yearnings for forbidden or unrequited love, overflowing with candid emotion. In his narrative poems, he is recognized not only for the vivid imagery but also for his impartial treatment of subjects. He often conceals his personal experiences deep within the layers of his work, creating a narrative that resonates with the historical context of his time.

Section 3- Rape of Lucrece; Sources and Backgrounds

The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary In the 16th century, when England was thriving in the flourishing ambience set off by the Renaissance, the Italian legends were a prominent part of popular culture. The literature of the period drew heavily upon the Classics, and much of Shakespeare’s literary contributions followed this popular tendency.

The Rape of Lucrecewas the second and final of the long narrative poems attributed to William Shakespeare. In the poem, he breathes new life, dimensions and dramatic quality to the history of the establishment of the Roman Republic as recorded by the Roman historian Livy in History of Rome. Livy’s work inspired Ovid to craft a long poem entitledFasti (AD 1st circa.) Thus, what was first reported as history was transformed into a fable about betrayal, treachery, honour and ignominy. In Renaissance Venice, ‘ the Most Serene Republic,’ Lucretia was an icon of great significance as the harbinger of the Roman republic.

Shakespeare draws heavily upon both the texts for the composition of The Rape of Lucrece and in an introduction entitled ‘The Argument,’ he provides the backdrop of the poem, how Lucius  Tarquiniusdubbed as ‘Superbus’ for his deep-seated conceit and excessive pride, infamous for his unlawful means of conquering was consumed with the desire to physically possess Lucrece, the virtuous and adored wife of Collatinus. Tarquinius coveted and conquered what was not lawfully his, shattering the dignity and honour of an innocent Lucrece behind him. Deeply and incurably humiliated and burdened, Lucrece conveyed her lamentable plight to her beloved husband and father, before committing suicide, invoking unbridled rage and vengeance in them. With the oratory skill of Junius Brutus as their aid, they incited Rome to unite against the tyranny of Tarquinius. The Tarquins thereby exiled (509 BC), the government changed from royal reign to republic.

Section 4- Rape of Lucrece; A critical summary

The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary The poem opens to a pregnant scene, where the warriors boast of the virtues of their wives as they repose after dinner. Of the party, Collatine’s boasts of his “faire love, Lucrece the chaste” whose virtues and beauty are at war with each other to overpower, ignite the embers of lust in Tarquin.

Tarquin’s conceit piques the desire to posses the “happy state” that Collatine enjoys, “the happiness enjoy’ but of a few.” Resolute to possess “that rich jewel” that he covets, he slyly goes to Collatium, where Lucrece dwells. At Collatium, the unsuspecting hostess welcomes the foe who feigns sincere kinship with her beloved husband who is away on a mission. Tarquin’s noble mask belies the malicious serpent overpowering his will.

Tarquin is overcome with admiration for the exquisite beauty that has no earthly parallels in words and he curses her husband who failed to do justice in his portrayal of such beauty; in her, the white  of virtue and the rose of beauty rival to overpower. In her ethereal being, virtue and beauty ‘interchange each other.’ Lucrece, naïve and unsuspecting of any evil offered reverend welcome to the devil disguised as her “princely guest” into her abode, where she is the “earthly saint” and he the devil, “false worshipper.” His “high estate” veiled his “base sin in plaits of majesty.” He lulls her into a phony sense of comfort and ease, feeding her ears with stories of her husband’s fame.

The poet here shifts the emphasis towards the impending doom, the scene enlivened by the Shakespearean crafting of a scene of omen. At night when everyone takes reprieve from the day’s strenuous labour and fights, save for thieves and troubled minds, the thin strands of self-restraint holding Tarquin back break asunder. “Now unloosened from their bond” his desire and malicious will are wide-awake and aggressive.

Tarquin realizes deep within the irrevocability and repercussion of the crime he is about to commit. He knows about the eyesore, the stain of ignominy and infamy it would leave on his “golden coat” of knighthood. He ponders over what he would win, if he were to gain the thing that he sought.

“Strong past reason’s weak removing”, reprobate with desire, Tarquin tackles the lock between her chamber and his will. As the thief creeps in, a nocturnal weasel bear sole witness to his stealthy arrival. His eyes drink in the “chaste ornaments” of the unsuspecting mistress lost in her slumber. The lust in him unbridled, he vows to “de-flower” her; no wrath of any power or god shall dissuade him. The “dove sleeps fast” all the while, to be caught in a moment by the “night-owl.”

The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary Overcome with carnal desire for her “azure veins, her alabaster skin/ her coral lips, her snow-white dimpled chin…” like a “starving lion” he drinks in her vision. His heart thumps like a drum in a “[r]age of lust” and his hands take possession of her bosom, hitherto untainted by strangers’ touch. Fraught with fright and confusion, she cries, she wakes up into a nightmare and mistakes the horrid scene for some “ghastly sprite.” Further enflamed, without any pity he yearned to breach into her “sweet city.” He accuses her disarming beauty of being the cause of her doom. With the falchion to the aid of his intimidating person, he threatens to tarnish her clear reputation with stains of infidelity with a common slave unless she complies. The taunt and threat of posterity pointing a mocking, discrediting, and humiliating finger at her children, her beloved husband and her own stainless person, leaves her bereft with no other choice than to comply.

The “picture of pure piety” crumbles before the “rough beast” and implores in all voices pitiful and disheartening to spare her. No pleading however, provokes his mercy or pity. His ears hear her prayers but his heart does not grant them. All attempts to dissuade him are thwarted and futile, for “[m]en’s faults do seldom to themselves appear; their own transgression partially they smother: This guilt would seem death-worthy in thy brother… Their own misdeeds askance their eyes.” His eyes blind to her “chaste tears”, he robs her of “a dearer thing than life.” In addition, he gains what he would soon lose again. Like a thievish dog, he “creeps sadly,” and she like a “wearied lamb lies panting there,” her nails having torn his flesh.

As he slinks away in shame, waiting for the dawn light to drown his dark deeds of the night, the ‘hopeless castaway” hopes that another dawn wouldn’t break and expose her defiled state to the world. In “helpless shame” she pines within, praying that her pure soul would finds some “purer chest” to reside.

Lucrece, like Philomela (who was raped by her brother-in-law Tereus) share the misery of a tragic fate. Unlike Philomela whose tongue was cut by Tereus and thereby eternally silenced, Lucrece was resolute to have Tarquin’s mask shredded and his guilt laid bare before the world. Her pure soul withstands the worst of the pollution her body was forced into, both of which she had guarded for heaven and Collatine, she is a fire of vengeance now. She writes a letter to her husband, Collatine to come to her in haste from Ardea. For her “woes are tedious though [her] words are brief.”

The beloved woman that she is to her dear ones, her husband and father come to her in haste, accompanied by several lords. While she awaits their arrival Lucrece, clad in mourning black and eyes tear-stained and circled in blue, studies a painting of the end of Troy and remarks how she, like Priam, was wronged by Tarquin-like Sinon, who came to her armed and defiled her.

The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary By likening herself to Priam and Tarquin to Sinon, the image of the Trojan War is highlighted in the scene, which augers a Great War looming in the horizons. Once her father and husband arrive she informs them of how “[I]n the dreadful dead of dark midnight,/ With a shining falchion” he barged into her room and brought her down with infamy. She implores vengeance, to “let the traitor die…[t]o chase injustice with revengeful arms” and even as she tells them who it was who committed this terrible deed, with  a “harmful knife” ends her harmless being.

The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary Astonished and stunned by the revelation and the turn of events, Lucretius and Collatine wailed “My daughter” and “my wife.” As clamours filled the air, Brutus, rises with a voice of action and vengeance. He exhorts the mourning party to “rouse [their] Roman gods with invocations” so that, the “chaste blood so unjustly stain’d” shall receive the justice it craves. His oath he seals with a kiss on the “fatal knife” urging the rest to follow his lead.

They take Lucrece’s “bleeding body” on a procession through Rome for the world to see and to publish “Tarquin’s foul offence”. With speedy diligence, the Romans united in strength and voice to give consent to Tarquin’s everlasting banishment.

In a deeply moving narration from the perspectives of both the criminal and the wronged, Shakespeare gives an account of the history of the birth of a nation; it forces one to ponder over the notions of actions and reactions, religion and discipline, justice and vengeance.

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Section 5-The Rape of Lucrece: Critical analysis 

(a)   Mood

The Rape of Lucrece stands as a quintessential literary work that exemplifies Dr. Johnson’s description of Shakespeare in his Preface to Shakespeare as “the poet of nature,” who holds up “to his readers a faithful mirror of manners and life.”

The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary From the very beginning, the poem exudes a pervading sense of foreboding and dread. Shakespeare introduces the “trustless wings of desire” stirring within the “lust-breathing Tarquin,” establishing a dark and sinister atmosphere. The juxtaposition of Tarquin, the villain, with Collatine, the noble character destined to bring him to justice, sets the stage for a profound sense of betrayal. This initial pairing not only highlights their kinship but also underscores the gravity of Tarquin’s impending crime, amplifying the emotional stakes and the tragedy that will unfold.

(b)   Characterisation 

The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary Samuel Johnson notes the impartiality with which Shakespeare treats his characters. Shakespeare’s figures are grounded and lifelike, speaking in language that resonates with the everyday experiences of ordinary people. These characters are flesh-and-blood humans, susceptible to the same flaws and follies as anyone else. Shakespeare explores the psychological turmoil of both the accursed criminal and his victim, delving into Tarquin’s mental struggle to suppress his overwhelming lust and Lucrece’s desperate pleas for mercy, as well as her subsequent disillusionment when fate casts her into despair.

However, the poem’s characterization sometimes falters, particularly when the poet elevates a character to the peak of emotion only to abruptly shift focus to another. While Shakespeare immerses the reader in Tarquin’s guilt as he contemplates the enormity of his impending sin, he swiftly transitions to Lucrece’s suffering and sorrow. Neither character is fully developed, and the poem’s conclusion feels somewhat unresolved and unsatisfying. The justice that follows Lucrece’s tragedy is conveyed in fewer lines than are dedicated to describing her beauty, leaving little room for the cathartic release that one might expect.

Shakespeare’s profound understanding of human emotions and egos is evident in his portrayal of Lucrece’s grief and self-reproach. Her mournful monologue and trance-like state evoke parallels to Lady Macbeth. When Lucrece trembles as she attempts to take her own life, it recalls Lady Macbeth’s lament over her “little hands,” stained forever with King Duncan’s blood. Despite their differences—Lady Macbeth embodies malice and greed, while Lucrece symbolizes virtue—both women find themselves rendered utterly helpless by their circumstances, ultimately seeking solace in death. However, unlike Lady Macbeth, whose death is shrouded in ambiguity, Lucrece possesses clarity of purpose and individuality throughout the poem. Her virtue defines her, and she remains the honorable and beautiful woman, described as a perfect work of art. The violation she suffers is depicted as a fortress under siege, thus elevating Lucrece to a political symbol.

The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary Tarquin is beset by distress as he contemplates the tragedy that awaits him if he goes through with his crime, fearing the disgrace it would bring to his reputation. The theme of irrevocable actions resonates throughout the poem, highlighting how Tarquin’s selfish pursuit of momentary pleasure ultimately leads to his own downfall. In his quest for fleeting satisfaction, he not only incurs his doom but also robs Lucrece of something far more precious than life itself.

Section 6-The Rape of Lucrece: Critical Analysis (2)

 Themes

Idolatry emerges as a pervasive theme in Shakespeare’s work, showcasing his artistry in the portrayal of characters. Lucrece is depicted using exquisite natural and man-made imagery: she is compared to roses and pearls, with descriptions such as “pearly sweat, resembling dew,” her eyes likened to “marigolds,” and her presence described as a “monument.” This vivid dedication to her physical beauty underscores the transience of carnal lust, a recurring motif in Shakespearean poetry. The ephemeral nature of such pleasures, echoed in his sonnets addressed to the Dark Lady, resonates throughout the poem. In Sonnet 129, Shakespeare encapsulates lust as “the expense of spirit in a waste of shame…[e]njoyed no sooner but despised straight,/ Past reason hunted, and no sooner had,/ Past reason hated.” Despite being aware of this harsh truth, Tarquin cannot suppress his desire and ultimately succumbs to it. Armed with a falchion that sparkles like fire against cold flint, he is resolute in his intent to “force” Lucrece to fulfill his “desire.”

Religion plays an invasive role in the poem, as Lucrece embodies the ideal of piety and virtue, unable to bear the thought of dwelling in a body tarnished by another’s sin. Within the tumult of Tarquin’s mind, the fear of divine retribution looms large. He reflects, “I must de-flower; the powers to whom I pray abhor this fact…” and calls upon “Love and Fortune” to be his “gods.” This highlights Tarquin’s moral failings—his lust, avarice, envy, and pride.

The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary Lucrece confronts “injurious, shifting Time,” a personification that recurs throughout Shakespeare’s sonnets. In Sonnet 19, “Devouring Time” is depicted as the villain, responsible for rendering “Love,” beauty, and life as “Time’s fool.” Time is portrayed as fickle and unreliable, an image that recurs in Shakespeare’s work. Lucrece finds herself betrayed by this “shifting Time” and by its servant “Opportunity,” which ultimately leads to her downfall and “endless woes.”

The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary Through the pursuit of justice for Lucrece, Rome transitions from monarchy to republic. In this way, Lucrece symbolizes the dawn of the Roman republic, becoming a celebrated figure during the Italian Renaissance. The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary

Conclusion

The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary Shakespeare’s long poem raises significant questions about the nature of women’s chastity and honor, examining how these concepts are tied to the men in their lives and where true virtue and beauty are situated for women.The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary  Lucrece’s determination to commit suicide after her rape speaks for countless women throughout history who have been taught to believe that their worth and virtue lie solely in their chastity. Once that chastity is violated, they are often deemed worthless, deserving only of shame and death.

Her father, husband, and the other Roman nobles perceive her in the same light, embodying the patriarchal values that demand vengeance against the rapist while simultaneously lamenting the loss of the woman’s virtue. Shakespeare explores this theme in earlier works like Titus Andronicus and later in Cymbeline, addressing cultural codes that dictate a specific response when a woman’s vir00tue has been taken from her.The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary

FAQ

1. Which city region of Italy is the Roman army besieging when the story begins?
   The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary The Roman army is besieging Ardea at the beginning of the story.
2. What is the name of the place where Lucrece lives?
   Lucrece lives in Collatium.
3. Which word is used to indicate the sword Tarquin brings to Lucrece’s bedroom?
   The word used to indicate the sword is falchion.
4. What else apart from his sword does Tarquin bring with him to the scene of his crime?
   Apart from his sword, Tarquin brings his lust to the scene of his crime.
5. What is the colour of the “coverlet” or blanket on the bed where Lucrece is sleeping?
   The coverlet on Lucrece’s bed is white.
6. What colour is Lucrece’s hair?
   Lucrece’s hair is often described as black.
7. Who is Lucrece’s first visitor after Tarquin elopes?
   Lucrece’s first visitor after Tarquin elopes is her husband, Collatine.
8. What is the name of the traitor who persuaded the Trojans to accept the wooden horse?
   The traitor who persuaded the Trojans to accept the wooden horse is Sinon.
9. How does Lucrece react when she sees his face in the painting?
   When Lucrece sees Tarquin’s face in the painting, she is filled with horror and recognizes the betrayal and impending doom, likening herself to Priam who was wronged.
10. Give the name of the knight who proposes that they avenge the death of Lucrece?
    The Rape Of Lucrece By William Shakespeare Summary The knight who proposes to avenge Lucrece’s death is Brutus.

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