Stanza 192 - Explanation

Original Stanza

The homely villain curtsies to her low,
And, blushing on her with a steadfast eye,
Receives the scroll without or yea or no,
And forth with bashful innocence doth hie.
But they whose guilt within their bosoms lie
Imagine every eye beholds their blame,
For Lucrece thought he blushed to see her shame,

🔍 Line-by-Line Analysis

Okay, let's break down Stanza 192 of Shakespeare's 'The Rape of Lucrece' line by line and then provide an overall interpretation.

Line-by-Line Breakdown:

• "The homely villain curtsies to her low,"

  • "The homely villain": This refers to Tarquin. "Homely" here doesn't necessarily mean unattractive in a conventional sense. It can also mean "plain" or "ordinary-looking," underscoring the idea that evil can hide behind a commonplace exterior. He's not some monstrous figure; he could be anyone.
  • "curtsies to her low": The verb "curtsies" is odd, as it is more commonly associated with women. This suggests Tarquin is being overly submissive, perhaps trying to appear innocent or to disarm Lucrece with false respect. The word "low" emphasizes the depth of his deference, suggesting insincerity.

• "And, blushing on her with a steadfast eye,"

  • "blushing on her": This is a crucial and ambiguous detail. Is Tarquin blushing because he feels shame, or is he using the blush strategically to mislead Lucrece? It highlights the complexity of his character and the deceptive nature of his actions.
  • "with a steadfast eye": This detail is also significant. A "steadfast eye" suggests confidence and resolve, a determined gaze. It could contradict the blush, suggesting his shame is a facade. It also suggests a kind of predatory focus.

• "Receives the scroll without or yea or no,"

  • "Receives the scroll": Lucrece has given Tarquin a note of some sort, presumably indicating something or granting him permission for something relatively innocuous. This scroll will be the means by which he enters Lucrece's chamber later.
  • "without or yea or no": He takes the scroll silently, without speaking "yes" or "no." This silence is pregnant with meaning. It shows his intent to deceive; he offers no indication of his true plans. He is not truthful in his communication with her.

• "And forth with bashful innocence doth hie."

  • "forth with bashful innocence doth hie": He quickly leaves, seemingly acting with "bashful innocence." This is a deliberate performance on his part. "Hie" means to hasten or hurry. He wants to leave quickly to continue his planned assault.
  • Personification: "Innocence doth hie" is a personification, giving the abstract concept of innocence the ability to move.

• "But they whose guilt within their bosoms lie"

  • "they whose guilt within their bosoms lie": This is a general statement about the nature of guilt, but it also applies specifically to Tarquin.
  • Metaphor: "guilt within their bosoms lie" is a metaphor, comparing guilt to something buried or hidden inside one's chest.

• "Imagine every eye beholds their blame,"

  • "Imagine every eye beholds their blame": A key insight into the psychology of the guilty. They become paranoid, believing everyone sees their wrongdoing, even if it's carefully concealed. This reflects Tarquin's possible discomfort, which Lucrece misinterprets.

• "For Lucrece thought he blushed to see her shame,"

  • "For Lucrece thought he blushed to see her shame": Lucrece misinterprets Tarquin's blush. She believes he is ashamed on her behalf, perhaps because she thinks she has somehow offended him or caused him discomfort with the note. She projects her own sense of honor and social obligation onto him. This misinterpretation is critical to Tarquin's success.

Overall Meaning and Literary Devices:

This stanza explores the themes of deception, guilt, and misinterpretation. Tarquin is portrayed as a master manipulator, capable of disguising his true intentions behind a facade of humility and even apparent shame. The stanza highlights the power of appearance versus reality. Tarquin's actions are a calculated performance designed to lower Lucrece's guard.

Lucrece's fatal flaw, at least in this moment, is her inability to recognize Tarquin's true nature. She projects her own sense of honor and decency onto him, leading her to misinterpret his behavior. The stanza emphasizes how easily the innocent can be deceived by the guilty.

Key Literary Devices:

• Irony: There's dramatic irony, as the reader knows Tarquin's true intent, while Lucrece remains ignorant. The "bashful innocence" is also ironic, given his planned crime.
• Ambiguity: The meaning of Tarquin's blush is deliberately ambiguous, adding to the tension and highlighting the difficulty of discerning truth from falsehood.
• Psychological Insight: The stanza provides insight into the psychology of both the guilty (Tarquin) and the innocent (Lucrece).
• Foreshadowing: The stanza foreshadows the coming tragedy by emphasizing Tarquin's deceptive nature and Lucrece's vulnerability.
• Personification: "Innocence doth hie" is an example of personification.
• Metaphor: "Guilt within their bosoms lie"

In short, this stanza masterfully sets the stage for the unfolding tragedy by revealing Tarquin's deceptive cunning and Lucrece's tragic misjudgment. It is a powerful exploration of the human capacity for both evil and innocence.