Stanza 217 - Explanation

Original Stanza

But, like a constant and confirmed devil,
He entertained a show so seeming just,
And therein so ensconced his secret evil,
That jealousy itself could not mistrust
False-creeping craft and perjury should thrust
Into so bright a day such black-faced storms,
Or blot with hell-born sin such saint-like forms.

🔍 Line-by-Line Analysis

Okay, let's break down Stanza 217 of Shakespeare's 'The Rape of Lucrece' line by line, identify literary devices, and then synthesize it into an overall meaning.

Line-by-Line Breakdown:

• "But, like a constant and confirmed devil,"

  • Constant and confirmed – emphasizes the fixed and unwavering nature of his evil.
  • Devil – a powerful and direct metaphor for Tarquin. It establishes him as a personification of evil and temptation.
  • Simile: He is being compared to a devil.

• "He entertained a show so seeming just,"

  • Entertained a show – He put on an act. This suggests deception and calculated behavior. Show is a metaphor for his outward appearance of respectability.
  • So seeming just – The act was very convincing. Seeming just is an appearance of moral rectitude.
  • Alliteration: the repetition of the 's' sound in 'show so seeming' creates a smooth, almost deceptive sound effect, mirroring Tarquin's deceptive behavior.

• "And therein so ensconced his secret evil,"

  • Therein – Referring to the "show so seeming just."
  • Ensconced – Meaning hidden or sheltered. His evil was deeply embedded and concealed within this facade of justice.
  • Secret evil – The nature of his evil intentions, which are yet to be revealed fully, is hidden.
  • Alliteration: the repetition of the 's' sound in 'so ensconced his secret' creates a smooth, almost deceptive sound effect, mirroring Tarquin's deceptive behavior.

• "That jealousy itself could not mistrust"

  • Jealousy itself – Jealousy is personified here. Jealousy is often suspicious and mistrustful, but even it would not suspect what Tarquin is plotting.
  • Could not mistrust – Even the most suspicious of emotions would be fooled by Tarquin's deception.

• "False-creeping craft and perjury should thrust"

  • False-creeping craft – Deceptive and insidious tactics. False-creeping is an alliterative phrase suggesting slow, stealthy movement of evil.
  • Perjury – Lying under oath, or more broadly, a betrayal of trust and vows.
  • Thrust – A violent and sudden action. It foreshadows the act of rape that is to come.

• "Into so bright a day such black-faced storms,"

  • So bright a day – Represents Lucrece's innocence, virtue, and the peaceful setting. It also suggests a clear and unsuspecting atmosphere.
  • Black-faced storms – Represents the evil, corruption, and violence that Tarquin is about to unleash. The contrast between "bright" and "black" emphasizes the shocking nature of his actions.
  • Metaphor: Lucrece's innocence and virtue are being compared to a bright day, while Tarquin's evil is being compared to a black-faced storm.

• "Or blot with hell-born sin such saint-like forms."

  • Blot – To stain or defile.
  • Hell-born sin – Evil that originates from hell. It further emphasizes the diabolical nature of Tarquin's intentions.
  • Saint-like forms – Refers to Lucrece's appearance of purity and goodness.
  • Alliteration: the repetition of the 's' sound in 'sin such saint-like' emphasizes the shock of tainting something pure and innocent with evil.

Overall Meaning:

This stanza paints a picture of Tarquin as a master deceiver. He meticulously crafts an outward appearance of honor and righteousness, so convincing that even the most suspicious of minds (personified as jealousy) would not suspect the evil he harbors. His intentions are to corrupt and defile something pure and innocent ("bright day," "saint-like forms") with his diabolical ("hell-born sin") actions. The stanza builds tension by foreshadowing the act of violence and betrayal to come, highlighting the contrast between Tarquin's facade and his true, evil nature. The language is deliberately dramatic and evocative, using powerful imagery to convey the magnitude of the impending tragedy.