Stanza 231 - Explanation

Original Stanza

And now this pale swan in her wat’ry nest
Begins the sad dirge of her certain ending:
“Few words,” quoth she, “shall fit the trespass best,
Where no excuse can give the fault amending.
In me more woes than words are now depending;
And my laments would be drawn out too long,
To tell them all with one poor tired tongue.

🔍 Line-by-Line Analysis

Okay, let's break down stanza 231 from Shakespeare's The Rape of Lucrece line by line and then discuss the overall meaning and literary devices.

Line-by-Line Breakdown:

• "And now this pale swan in her wat’ry nest"

  • "And now": Transition, signals a shift to the present moment.
  • "this pale swan": A metaphor comparing Lucrece to a swan. Swans are traditionally symbols of beauty, purity, and grace. "Pale" emphasizes her weakened and sorrowful state after the rape. The 'pale' also foreshadows her impending death.
  • "in her wat'ry nest": The "wat'ry nest" is a metaphorical description of her bed, which is soaked with her tears. The 'nest' reinforces her vulnerability and defenselessness. The image evokes a sense of confinement and entrapment. It's also slightly ironic, since nests are usually associated with protection and new life, while Lucrece faces destruction and death.

• "Begins the sad dirge of her certain ending:"

  • "Begins the sad dirge": "Dirge" is a funeral song, a lament for the dead. This phrase foreshadows Lucrece's suicide. She is about to deliver a speech that is effectively her own eulogy.
  • "of her certain ending": This clarifies the subject of the dirge – her own death, which she now accepts as inevitable. The word "certain" underlines the finality and hopelessness of her situation.

• “Few words,” quoth she, “shall fit the trespass best,"

  • “Few words,” quoth she: A standard Shakespearean way to introduce dialogue ("quoth" means said). The brevity of her opening statement shows her resolve to keep things succinct.
  • "shall fit the trespass best": "Trespass" here refers to the rape. She believes that no amount of words can adequately describe or address the magnitude of the crime committed against her. "Fit" implies a perfect correspondence, which she deems impossible to achieve.

• "Where no excuse can give the fault amending."

  • "Where no excuse": Emphasizes the lack of justification or mitigation for Tarquin's actions. He has committed an unforgivable act.
  • "can give the fault amending": The rape is a "fault" that is beyond repair or redemption. "Amending" suggests restoration or correction, which Lucrece believes is impossible in this case.

• "In me more woes than words are now depending;"

  • "In me more woes than words": The antithesis here highlights the imbalance between the overwhelming suffering she feels and her ability to articulate it. She's overwhelmed by her grief.
  • "are now depending": The word "depending" implies that the woes are weighing heavily on her, like a burden or a sentence hanging over her head.

• "And my laments would be drawn out too long,"

  • "And my laments": Refers to her expressions of sorrow and grief.
  • "would be drawn out too long": She implies that if she were to try to fully express her sorrow, it would take an excessively long time. She wants to be brief and focus on what's necessary.

• "To tell them all with one poor tired tongue."

  • "To tell them all": Acknowledges the sheer volume of her suffering.
  • "with one poor tired tongue": Emphasizes her physical and emotional exhaustion. Her tongue is "tired" both from speaking and from the emotional weight of her experience. The word "poor" also evokes pity and vulnerability. The personification of the tongue reinforces the idea of her limitations.

Overall Meaning of the Stanza:

This stanza depicts Lucrece at the moment she decides to speak about her rape before committing suicide. She acknowledges the inadequacy of words to fully express the horror and depth of her suffering. She recognizes that no explanation or excuse can justify Tarquin's actions, and she believes the damage is irreparable. She feels overwhelmed by her sorrow, and her speech is framed as a "dirge," a lament for her impending death. The stanza emphasizes her resignation, her exhaustion, and the tragic weight of the crime that has been committed against her. She feels trapped and unable to escape the consequences of the rape. She's preparing to take her own life.

Literary Devices Used:

• Metaphor: Comparing Lucrece to a "pale swan" and her bed to a "wat'ry nest."
• Foreshadowing: The "sad dirge" foreshadows her suicide.
• Antithesis: "More woes than words" highlights the imbalance between her suffering and her ability to express it.
• Personification: "One poor tired tongue" gives human qualities to her tongue.
• Imagery: The stanza is filled with vivid imagery, especially the "pale swan," "wat'ry nest," and "tired tongue," which help the reader visualize Lucrece's state.

In conclusion, Stanza 231 of 'The Rape of Lucrece' is a powerful and poignant depiction of a woman facing her own demise. It sets the stage for her confession and suicide, emphasizing her profound suffering, her sense of hopelessness, and the irreparable damage caused by Tarquin's crime. The use of literary devices enhances the emotional impact and underscores the tragedy of Lucrece's fate.