Stanza 264 - Explanation

Original Stanza

This said, he struck his hand upon his breast,
And kissed the fatal knife, to end his vow;
And to his protestation urged the rest,
Who, wond’ring at him, did his words allow.
Then jointly to the ground their knees they bow,
And that deep vow which Brutus made before,
He doth again repeat, and that they swore.

🔍 Line-by-Line Analysis

Let's break down Stanza 264 from Shakespeare's "The Rape of Lucrece":

Line-by-Line Breakdown:

• "This said, he struck his hand upon his breast,"
  • "This said": This refers to something that has just been spoken or done (likely a declaration of vengeance or a commitment to action).
  • "he struck his hand upon his breast": This is a gesture, a physical act of demonstrating sincerity and conviction. It's a symbolic oath.
• "And kissed the fatal knife, to end his vow;"
  • "And": Connects this action with the previous one.
  • "kissed the fatal knife": The knife is what Lucrece used to commit suicide, making it "fatal". The kiss is another act of reverence and a further sign of the commitment to avenge Lucrece's death.
  • "to end his vow": Implies a vow or oath has been made and that this action is to confirm it. The vow is implied; the actions speak for themselves.
• "And to his protestation urged the rest,"
  • "And": Connects this action with the previous one.
  • "to his protestation urged the rest": This suggests that Brutus, or whoever "he" is, is urging the others to join him in his declaration/oath. "The rest" refers to the other men present.
• "Who, wond’ring at him, did his words allow."
  • "Who": Relates back to "the rest"
  • "wond’ring at him": The others are astonished or amazed by what Brutus has said/done.
  • "did his words allow": They agreed with what he was saying; they accepted his oath and its implications.
• "Then jointly to the ground their knees they bow,"
  • "Then": Indicates the following happens after the previous lines.
  • "jointly to the ground their knees they bow": The men kneel together, showing reverence and further emphasizing their solemn commitment.
• "And that deep vow which Brutus made before,"
  • "And": Connects this action with the previous one.
  • "that deep vow": Implies a serious and binding promise.
  • "which Brutus made before": Indicates that Brutus had already made a vow, which he is repeating.
• "He doth again repeat, and that they swore."
  • "He doth again repeat": Brutus repeats his vow, reinforcing it.
  • "and that they swore": The others also took the oath; they swore together, committing to the vow.

Literary Devices:

• Symbolism:
  • Kissing the knife: The act of kissing the knife, which caused Lucrece's death, is highly symbolic. It represents respect for Lucrece's sacrifice, and a commitment to the revenge.
  • Striking the breast: This is a symbolic gesture of self-commitment.
  • Kneeling: Kneeling symbolizes respect, submission to their cause.
• Repetition:
  • The vow: The repetition of the vow (Brutus repeats it and the men repeat it) emphasizes its importance and commitment.
• Alliteration:
  • "fatal knife"
• Personification:
  • "fatal knife" - this implies the knife itself is responsible.

Overall Meaning:

This stanza describes the moment of a sacred oath being taken, likely to avenge Lucrece's death. The emphasis is on solemnity, commitment, and unity. Brutus, the leader, shows his dedication through physical actions (kissing the knife, striking his breast), which inspires the others to follow. The repeated vow, the kneeling, and the shared swearing all solidify the group's resolve and create a powerful image of loyalty and shared purpose. This establishes the men's dedication to the cause of revenge.