The Rape of Lucrece

The Rape of Lucrece is one of Shakespeare's plays. I chose it as my piece of literature for my class field trip because first of all it caught my attention with the abrupt title. As I began to read it, I really got into the story. It was full of distasteful matters dressed in eloquent and realistic words.

I thoroughly enjoyed the way Shakespeare described all the thought and emotions that processed through the main characters. In the beginning of the story, the man conceives the sin in his heart. He starts to entertain the thought of being with the young lady. After some time, he wants her so badly that he convinces himself to take her by force. As he makes his way to her bedroom he is encountered with difficulties. In the same way that we don't take a hint when we are about to do something wrong, this man doesn't either. His desire for her is enforced by the extra effort he has had to make to get to her. He says, "Till the minutes repay the hour my debt." Classic thought in the progression of a sinful action. The he begins praying to God that he will be able to quench the thirst for the girl by commiting this mortal wrong. The part that I most enjoyed was after he took what he wanted. There was a verse that said, "Pure Chastity is rifled of her store, And Lust, the thief, far poorer than before." I love this quote because it speaks of how even as we feed our lust it is never satisfied. Instead of enriching our weaknesses, they become every stronger in debilitating us. The man was not satisfied once he was done. You cannot meet the needs of lust. You give it what it wants and it will be far poorer than before.

The last thing that caught my attention was PRICELESS. In order to relieve himself of some guilt, he began to blame the girl for being so pretty. She was so beautiful, she was asking for it! - Wow. Shakespeare put it out there... some men will never cease to surprise us.