Lucrece's Chamber

The bulk of the poem's action takes place in Lucrece's private chamber. The word "bedroom" was not in usage when the poem was published – actually, Shakespeare himself coined it in A Midsummer Night's Dream – but the two are essentially equivalent. This chamber was a private space where Lucrece would dress, sleep, and perform other intimate activities. Most of the poem, including the lengthy debate between Lucrece and Tarquin and the assault itself, takes place in this space, already violating Lucrece's privacy.

The Streets of Rome

The story of The Rape of Lucrece ends in Rome, with Lucrece's body being carried through the streets so that the people of Rome can see the wrong that was done to her. Notably, the poem does not extend to this point in the story. It ends with Lucrece's grieving family deciding to have this procession, but does not depict it as...