This long poem is written in rhyme royal: stanzas that have seven lines each, written in iambic pentameter, and which follow a rhyme scheme of ABABBCC. “The Rape of Lucrece” is a retelling of the Roman tale about Tarquinius and Lucretia that was well-known in Shakespeare’s time. To refresh the reader’s memory, or to inform those unfamiliar with the tale, Shakespeare includes a prose section before the poem that summarizes the plot.

“The Argument”

Shakespeare’s plot summary is one prose paragraph before 1855 lines of poetry. It starts with Lucius Tarquinius becoming king of Rome and setting up a military encampment in Ardea. There, in the tent of Sextus Tarquinius (aka Tarquin, son of the king), Collatinus (aka Collantine) brags about the fidelity of his wife, Lucretia (aka Lucrece). The men sneak back home to surprise their wives, and only Lucrece is at home taking care of domestic duties while the other wives are out dancing or partying.

Then, Tarquinius intrudes upon Lucrece’s hospitality, lodging at her house instead of going back to Ardea with the other men. After she has gone to bed, he rapes her and leaves early in the morning.