INTRODUCTION
The Rape of Lucrece is a narrative poem about the Roman noblewoman Lucretia. The poem comprises 1,855 lines of 265 stanzas. The rhyme scheme is ABABBCC of iambic pentameter. This rhyme scheme is known as 'rhyme royal' which Shakespeare imported from Chaucer.
The poem contains three sections:
The poem contains three sections:
- The Dedication
- The Argument
- The poem
THE DEDICATION
The poem is dedicated to Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton.
THE ARGUMENT
This section summarizes the historical background of the poem. Lucius Tarquinius, also known as Tarquin the Proud or Supervisor, the king of Rome, possessed himself of the kingdom, not much worried about people and their rights, go along with his army to besiege Ardea. They arrange a meeting at the camp one evening in which Sextus Tarquinius, a Roman soldier and the son of Lucius Tarquinius, commands his members that everyone to share about his wife's chastity and virtue.
Collatinus, a soldier in Lucius' army and a friend of Sextus Tarquinius, excitedly eulogizes the unparalleled beauty and virtue of his wife Lucrece or Lucretia.
Collatinus, a soldier in Lucius' army and a friend of Sextus Tarquinius, excitedly eulogizes the unparalleled beauty and virtue of his wife Lucrece or Lucretia.
THE POEM SUMMARY
Sextus Tarquinius, inflamed with the thought of Lucretia's beauty and virtue in mind, rides straight away to Collatium, the Collatinus home. There he is warmly welcomed by Lucretia and she does all hospitality. He entertains Lucretia with the stories of his and her husband in the battlefield. She also entertains him so much.
Tarquinius spends that night in Collatium. He couldn't control his desires over Lucretia. After some hesitation, he decides to reach out her. He reaches her chamber and found her asleep in bed. He touches her breast. Frightened by this touch, she awakens from sleep. She becomes horribly afraid. Tarquinius warns her unless she gives in to him, he will kill her for sure. He also threatens to dishonour her fame and virtue by fabricating a relationship with her servant. After a brief struggle, he rapes her. Then overcome by guilt and shame, he runs away.
Lucretia becomes so furious and is overpowered with shame. She can't choose between life and death. She sends messengers, one to her father and another to her husband hurrying up them to be back at home soon.
Lucretius, the father of Lucretia, and Collatinus reach the house. They bring with them along Junius Brutus and Publius Valerius, are friends to both Lucretius and Collatinus. They are shocked to find Lucretia attired in mourning cloth. They demand to know what has happened to her. She tells everything, but denies to tell who has done this until they promise her to avenge the culprit in her place.
Then she reveals the culprit to them and ultimately chooses her death by a knife. Collatinus and Lucretius extremely devastated by this and determine to revenge her death. When Lucretia's body is carried through streets, the people are so moved and the Tarquins are exiled mercilessly. At the end consuls begin to rule the state instead of the kings.
Tarquinius spends that night in Collatium. He couldn't control his desires over Lucretia. After some hesitation, he decides to reach out her. He reaches her chamber and found her asleep in bed. He touches her breast. Frightened by this touch, she awakens from sleep. She becomes horribly afraid. Tarquinius warns her unless she gives in to him, he will kill her for sure. He also threatens to dishonour her fame and virtue by fabricating a relationship with her servant. After a brief struggle, he rapes her. Then overcome by guilt and shame, he runs away.
Lucretia becomes so furious and is overpowered with shame. She can't choose between life and death. She sends messengers, one to her father and another to her husband hurrying up them to be back at home soon.
Lucretius, the father of Lucretia, and Collatinus reach the house. They bring with them along Junius Brutus and Publius Valerius, are friends to both Lucretius and Collatinus. They are shocked to find Lucretia attired in mourning cloth. They demand to know what has happened to her. She tells everything, but denies to tell who has done this until they promise her to avenge the culprit in her place.
Then she reveals the culprit to them and ultimately chooses her death by a knife. Collatinus and Lucretius extremely devastated by this and determine to revenge her death. When Lucretia's body is carried through streets, the people are so moved and the Tarquins are exiled mercilessly. At the end consuls begin to rule the state instead of the kings.
