Status Updates From The Narrative Poems (The Pe...

"No man inveigh against the wither'd flower,
But chide rough winter that the flower hath kill'd,
Not that devour'd, but that which doth devour,
Is worthy blame. O, let it not be hild
Poor women's faults, that they are so fulfill'd
With men's abuses! those proud lords, to blame,
Make weak-made women tenants to their shame."

"She bears the load of lust he left behind,
And he the burthen of a guilty mind."

Very very impressed and shocked with the depiction of the terrible consequences of rape culture on women by Shakespeare, with incredible lyricism, it's not just le spoiling of a fair maiden but the despair at the consequences of something not her fault, above all social consequences. It's more than Euripides-esque.

The Rape of Lucrece is difficult - not on account of the event, but because of the odd tangents and narrative choices (Lucrece’s father and husband have a petulant argument over who mourns her death more, for instance).

Clare Asquith’s interpretations in “Shakespeare and the Resistance” are illuminating and helpful.

“The Phoenix and Turtle” is really good even without understanding the underlying subjects. Even better with that knowledge.

Starting with the Rape of Lucrece.