The Rape of Lucrece by William Shakespeare
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About this eBook
| Author | Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 |
|---|---|
| Title | The Rape of Lucrece |
| Note | There is an improved edition of this title, eBook #100 |
| Note | Reading ease score: 73.1 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read. |
| Credits | the PG Shakespeare Team, a team of about twenty Project Gutenberg volunteers |
| Summary | "The Rape of Lucrece" by William Shakespeare is a narrative poem written in the late 16th century, during the English Renaissance. The poem delves into the themes of honor, shame, and the consequences of lust through the tragic tale of Lucrece, a noblewoman in ancient Rome who becomes the victim of a heinous act of violence. The work is notable for its exploration of the intersection between personal and political implications following the episode of sexual assault and its aftermath. The poem begins with the siege of Ardea, where Tarquin, the son of the Roman king, becomes infatuated with Lucrece, the wife of his kinsman Collatine. Overcome by lust, he forces himself into her chamber and rapes her. The event shatters Lucrece's spirit, leading her to call for her husband and father. In her despair, she reveals the assault and pleads for revenge against Tarquin before taking her own life, unable to bear the shame of her violation. Her death ignites outrage among the Roman nobles, particularly Brutus, who vows to avenge her honor. This tragic incident ultimately leads to the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the Roman Republic, underscoring themes of female agency, honor in death, and the political ramifications of personal tragedy. (This is an automatically generated summary.) |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PR: Language and Literatures: English literature |
| Subject | Poetry |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 1505 |
| Release Date | Oct 1, 1998 |
| Most Recently Updated | Jun 19, 2023 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 318 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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