Stanza 128 - Explanation

Original Stanza

'Thy secret pleasure turns to open shame,
Thy private feasting to a public fast,
Thy smoothing titles to a ragged name,
Thy sugar'd tongue to bitter wormwood taste:
Thy violent vanities can never last.
How comes it then, vile Opportunity,
Being so bad, such numbers seek for thee?

🔍 Line-by-Line Analysis

Okay, let's break down Stanza 128 of Shakespeare's "The Rape of Lucrece" line by line, identify the literary devices used, and then synthesize an overall meaning.

Line-by-Line Breakdown:

• "Thy secret pleasure turns to open shame,"

  • Thy: Archaic form of "your," directly addressing Opportunity (personified).
  • Secret pleasure: Refers to the hidden, illicit gratification that results from seizing an opportune moment for wrongdoing. Here, it alludes to Tarquin's upcoming rape of Lucrece.
  • Open shame: The public disgrace and humiliation that will inevitably follow the initial, concealed act of pleasure.
  • Literary Devices: Antithesis (contrasting "secret pleasure" with "open shame") creates a stark opposition, highlighting the ultimate consequence of acting on a wicked opportunity.

• "Thy private feasting to a public fast,"

  • Private feasting: Implies the individual or select group indulgence and celebration associated with the opportunity (the sense of revelry Tarquin feels as he plans his attack).
  • Public fast: The communal suffering, mourning, and self-denial that will result from the crime when it is revealed. Rome will be in mourning and will ultimately overthrow the Tarquins.
  • Literary Devices: Antithesis (contrasting "private feasting" with "public fast") reinforces the reversal of fortune and the widespread impact of the sin. Metaphor: "feasting" and "fast" are metaphors for happiness and suffering, respectively.

• "Thy smoothing titles to a ragged name,"

  • Smoothing titles: Refers to flattering, deceptive names, positions, or the initial favorable impressions one might receive thanks to Opportunity. It represents how Opportunity may be initially attractive but is ultimately deceptive.
  • Ragged name: A dishonored reputation, tarnished by scandal and infamy.
  • Literary Devices: Antithesis (contrasting "smoothing titles" with "ragged name") again emphasizes the downfall and ruin that follow. Metaphor: "smoothing titles" and "ragged name" are metaphors for reputation.

• "Thy sugar'd tongue to bitter wormwood taste:"

  • Sugar'd tongue: Refers to sweet, enticing words or promises of opportunity that lure someone in. The deceptive persuasion used to convince someone to seize an ill-advised moment.
  • Bitter wormwood taste: The repulsive and unpleasant aftermath or realization of the true cost of seizing the opportunity. Wormwood is a bitter herb often associated with grief and regret.
  • Literary Devices: Antithesis (contrasting "sugar'd tongue" with "bitter wormwood taste") emphasizes the change from allurement to revulsion. Metaphor: "sugar'd tongue" and "bitter wormwood taste" are metaphors for pleasant communication turning into unpleasant feelings/consequences.

• "Thy violent vanities can never last."

  • Violent vanities: The destructive, empty, and fleeting pleasures gained through seizing Opportunity (linked to Tarquin's lust).
  • Can never last: These ephemeral delights are ultimately unsustainable and destined to crumble.
  • Literary Devices: Alliteration: Repetition of the "v" sound (violent vanities). Emphasis: This line serves as a summary of the overarching consequence of relying on Opportunity.

• "How comes it then, vile Opportunity,"

  • How comes it then: A rhetorical question expressing bewilderment.
  • Vile Opportunity: "Vile" signifies how repulsive the concept of Opportunity truly is.

• "Being so bad, such numbers seek for thee?"

  • Being so bad: Referring to all the negative consequences described in the previous lines.
  • Such numbers seek for thee: Despite its harmful nature, so many people still pursue and succumb to Opportunity.
  • Literary Devices: Rhetorical question: Invites the reader to consider the paradoxical allure of Opportunity. Personification: Opportunity is addressed directly, making it a character to be questioned and critiqued.

Overall Meaning and Interpretation:

This stanza functions as a powerful condemnation of "Opportunity" (personified), which is depicted as an enticing yet ultimately destructive force. The stanza argues that the fleeting pleasures and advantages gained through seizing immoral or ill-advised opportunities inevitably lead to lasting shame, suffering, dishonor, and regret. The core message revolves around the paradoxical human tendency to pursue things that are known to be harmful.

The repetitive use of antithesis throughout the first four lines underscores the dramatic reversal of fortune that awaits those who succumb to the allure of Opportunity. The rhetorical question in the final two lines serves to challenge the reader to contemplate this inherent human flaw. The stanza paints a picture of an individual chasing fleeting desires while facing ultimate misery.