The Rape of Lucrece

The Rape of Lucrece is a narrative poem by William Shakespeare, published in 1594. Dedicated to his patron Henry Wriothesley, 3rd Earl of Southampton, it recounts the legendary story of the Roman noblewoman Lucretia and the events leading to the foundation of the Roman Republic. Written in the rhyme royal stanza, the poem is a serious exploration of themes like Tarquin, Brutus, and Livy.

Historical and literary sources

Shakespeare’s primary source for the poem was the account found in Ovid’s Fasti, which he likely accessed through the original Latin or a translation. He also drew upon the historical narrative presented in Livy’s Ab Urbe Condita, a foundational text of Roman historiography. The story was a popular subject in Renaissance literature, appearing in works by authors such as Geoffrey Chaucer in The Legend of Good Women and possibly in John Gower’s Confessio Amantis. The poem’s dedication to Southampton follows the precedent set by his earlier work, Venus and Adonis, aligning with the literary patronage system of Elizabethan era.

Synopsis

The poem opens with a description of Sextus Tarquinius, the son of the King of Rome Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, who is inflamed with lust after hearing of the virtue of Collatinus’s wife, Lucretia. While Collatinus is away at the Siege of Ardea, Tarquin travels to Collatia and is received as a guest in her home. He later enters her chamber and, after threatening to kill her and a slave to fabricate a story of adultery, rapes her. After his departure, Lucrece sends messengers to her father, Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus, and her husband, summoning them along with Lucius Junius Brutus and Publius Valerius Publicola. She reveals the crime, names the perpetrator, and then commits suicide with a dagger. Brutus swears an oath over her body, leading the enraged nobles to expel the Tarquin dynasty from Rome and establish the Roman Republic.

Themes and analysis

The poem is a profound study of contrasting themes, primarily the conflict between Chastity and Lust, embodied by Lucrece and Tarquin respectively. It explores the nature of Tyranny, both political and personal, linking Tarquin’s violation of the domestic sphere to the oppressive rule of the Tarquin kings. A major focus is the power of Rhetoric and Persuasion, as seen in Tarquin’s sophistic arguments before the rape and Lucrece’s eloquent lamentations after it. The work delves into concepts of Honor, Shame, and female agency within a patriarchal society, while also examining the relationship between Personal trauma and Political revolution, suggesting private violation can catalyze public change.

Publication history and reception

The poem was entered in the Stationers' Register in 1594 and published in quarto that same year by John Harrison, who had also published Venus and Adonis. It was printed by Richard Field, a Stratford acquaintance of Shakespeare. The dedication to Southampton is more obsequious in tone than the earlier one, suggesting a deepening patron-client relationship. Contemporary references, such as those by Francis Meres in Palladis Tamia, praised Shakespeare’s “sugared sonnets” and his “Lucrece,” indicating its popularity among educated readers. It saw multiple reprints during Shakespeare’s lifetime, cementing his reputation as a poet beyond his work for the Lord Chamberlain's Men.

Adaptations and cultural influence

The story has inspired numerous adaptations across various arts. In opera, Benjamin Britten composed the chamber opera The Rape of Lucretia in 1946, with a libretto by Ronald Duncan. The narrative has been the subject of several paintings, including works by Titian, Rembrandt, and Artemisia Gentileschi. In literature, it influenced plays like John Webster’s The White Devil and Thomas Heywood’s The Rape of Lucrece. Modern interpretations continue to engage with its themes, seen in works like Angela Carter’s fiction and analyses by feminist scholars examining its portrayal of Sexual violence and Trauma.

Category:1594 poems Category:Poetry by William Shakespeare Category:English narrative poems