Stanza 249 - Explanation

Original Stanza

And bubbling from her breast, it doth divide
In two slow rivers, that the crimson blood
Circles her body in on every side,
Who, like a late-sacked island, vastly stood
Bare and unpeopled in this fearful flood.
Some of her blood still pure and red remained,
And some looked black, and that false Tarquin stained.

🔍 Line-by-Line Analysis

Okay, let's break down Stanza 249 from Shakespeare's "The Rape of Lucrece":

Line-by-Line Breakdown:

• "And bubbling from her breast, it doth divide"

  • "And": Conjunction, connecting this line to the previous description of Lucrece's suicide.
  • "bubbling": A vivid, onomatopoeic word, suggesting the sound and appearance of blood emerging from her chest wound.
  • "from her breast": Specifies the origin of the blood, emphasizing the violence.
  • "it doth divide": The blood, initially a single flow, is now splitting into two separate streams.

• "In two slow rivers, that the crimson blood"

  • "In two slow rivers": Compares the flowing blood to rivers, using imagery of breadth and scale. "Slow" emphasizes the methodical nature of her death.
  • "that the crimson blood": Further specifies the nature of these rivers. "Crimson" is a powerful word for red, describing the color of blood.

• "Circles her body in on every side,"

  • "Circles her body": The rivers of blood are now flowing around her, encompassing her.
  • "in on every side": Reinforces the idea of complete encirclement.

• "Who, like a late-sacked island, vastly stood"

  • "Who": Referring back to Lucrece.
  • "like a late-sacked island": A simile comparing Lucrece to an island that has just been pillaged. This is a key image. "Sacked" implies destruction, violation, and loss.
  • "vastly stood": Emphasizes the stark, isolated, and desolate appearance of Lucrece.

• "Bare and unpeopled in this fearful flood."

  • "Bare and unpeopled": Describes the island (Lucrece). "Bare" suggests her vulnerability and exposure; "unpeopled" emphasizes the absence of life.
  • "in this fearful flood": Refers to the blood, highlighting the terrifying nature of the scene.

• "Some of her blood still pure and red remained,"

  • "Some of her blood still pure and red remained": Describes a portion of the blood as still vibrant, untouched by any outside influence.

• "And some looked black, and that false Tarquin stained."

  • "And some looked black": This indicates that another portion of the blood is now dark, suggesting that it has been tainted.
  • "and that false Tarquin stained": The contrast between the pure and tainted blood highlights the impact of Tarquin. Tarquin's guilt has "stained" her blood.

Literary Devices:

• Onomatopoeia: "bubbling"
• Simile: "like a late-sacked island"
• Metaphor: "two slow rivers," "fearful flood" (both comparing the blood to something else)
• Personification: While not explicit, the blood "circles" and "stains" can be considered a subtle personification.
• Imagery: The entire stanza is rich in visual imagery, creating a powerful and graphic depiction of Lucrece's suicide.
• Alliteration: "b" in "bubbling from her breast"

Overall Meaning:

This stanza vividly portrays the aftermath of Lucrece's suicide. The blood, described in graphic and symbolic terms, emphasizes the violence and violation she has suffered. The "two slow rivers" of blood expanding and circling her body creates an image of overwhelming destruction and loss. The simile of the "late-sacked island" underscores her desolation and vulnerability. The contrast between the pure, red blood and the black, stained blood powerfully highlights the irreversible act and Tarquin's corruption of Lucrece's innocence. The stanza emphasizes the physical and emotional destruction wrought by the rape, transforming Lucrece into an object of ruin. It is a powerful visual representation of her death and the impact of Tarquin's actions.