"The Rape of Lucrece"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses William Shakespeare's retelling of the story of the "Rape of Lucrece." It discusses the way that Shakespeare used this story to criticize a monarchy that otherwise could not be criticized. It quotes from Shakespeare's version of the story and describes and explains his version of the events. It also discusses the religious implications evident in this version of the retelling.

From the Paper:

"There's also a criticism implied in the monarchy's abuse-of-power concerning the church. Lucrece's rape in 510 B.C. by Prince Tarquin was not just a vicious crime of sexual predation--it was so infuriating to Rome's monarchy-weary populace that it led indirectly to the formation of the Roman Republic and the election of Lucrece's hubby Collatinus as Rome's first First Consul (Mondello 4). The English people were sick of queens being slaughtered to feed the sick lust of Henry VII. They were also feeling misused in his choosing to form and lead a new church, the Anglican Church, of which he was head. This lustful and bloody "pope" might have been the tormented Tarquin in Shakespeare's poem, as he debates whether to rape and then to kill his victim."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Andrews, William. 1891. Old Church Lore. William Andrews & Co., The Hull Press; London.
• "Baines." The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume II. Published 1907. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
• Mondello, Bob. Feb. 22, 2007. "Theater Review: Shakespeare's Rape of Lucrece by Callie Kimball," Washington City Paper.
• Schnabel, Stephanie 2005. "The theme of rape in Shakespear's Titus Andronicus and Lucrece." English Language and Literature Studies - Literature. Cambridge: Anglia Ruskin.
• Willis, Charles Murray, 2003. Shakespeare and George Puttenham's The Arte of English Poesie. <http://www.deveresociety.co.uk/Articles/Puttenham%20-%20V&A.htm>.

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