It is clear that The Rape of Lucretia by William Shakespeare examines the psychological effects of rape. However, what is less clear are the effects of power depicted in this poem and how it interacts with sexual violence. Power plays a crucial role in the poem before, during and after the act of sexual violence. This is evident through Tarquin's struggle with lust, Lucretia's inability to stop Tarquin from defeating her, and the guilt Lucretia feels afterward. These three stages establish a power dynamic centered around the act of rape. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The first example of this power struggle comes with Tarquin's fight against the "power" of lust. In the Bible, lust is clearly described as a sin. Matthew 5:28 says, “But I tell you that everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (ESV Matthew 5:28). Generally, sin is seen as something we struggle with but expect to overcome. However, in The Rape of Lucretia, lust exercises a certain power over Tarquin. This power seems much greater than normal sin. It is so big that Tarquin cannot overcome it. After being essentially overcome by lust, the poem says, “By reprobate desire thus madly driven, the Roman lord walks to Lucretia's bed” (Shakespeare 298). The imagery created by this line clearly shows Tarquin's inability to overcome lust. He is described as being “madly driven” by this evil sin. This is interesting because the person who initiates the sexual abuse is almost always considered the guilty perpetrator. However, the way Shakespeare describes Tarquin's experience makes it seem like Tarquin couldn't do anything to stop because he was driven by lust. Shakespeare's use of "reprobate desire" further explains this point. By characterizing desire as reprobate, Shakespeare in some way personifies lust and attributes guilt to it. He takes the responsibility away from Tarquin and places it on lust. While this is interesting, it doesn't appear to be accurate. Several times before the act of rape, it is clear that Tarquin knows that what he is about to do is wrong. The poem reads: “And in his inner mind he debates / What further sorrow may arise on this subject; / Then, looking with contempt, he despises / His naked armor of lust still cast down, And thus rightly controls his unrighteous thoughts” (Shakespeare 183). This quote proves Tarquin's guilt while showing his struggle with lust. The phrase “And in his inner mind he debates” shows the fight against lust that Tarquin leads. He has an internal debate about whether or not he should commit this illicit act. It is also clear that he knows this is wrong when the poem says, "And thus he controls his thoughts unjustly." These unrighteous thoughts represent the sin of lust that he is trying to control. Obviously, he is unable to control it, which further accentuates Shakespeare's representation of lust and the control it exercises over Tarquin. A few pages later it is clear that he has officially lost control of lust where the poem says, "As each unwilling portal gives way to him, / Through the little vents and crannies of the place / The wind fights with his torch to make him stay. , / And blows the smoke in his face, / Extinguishing his conduct in this affair; / But his burning heart, which affectionate desire burns, / Blows another wind that lights the torch” (Shakespeare 309). Eachof these lines signifies a new internal “bridge” that Tarquin must cross. However, he has no problem crossing these bridges because he is driven crazy by lust. This is perfectly described by the quote “But his heart burns, let loving desire burn.” This desire, or lust, destroys any control he has over his heart. This has power over him and his heart and this is what Shakespeare expresses in this poem. The second manifestation of a power dynamic in The Rape of Lucretia accompanies the act of rape itself. The rape narrative depicts Lucretia as an object of sexuality while Tarquin is depicted primarily as a starving person disturbed by lust. This is immediately apparent in the lines: "Where, like a virtuous monument, she rests, / To be admired by lewd and impious eyes." » (Shakespeare 391). The juxtaposition presented with the words “virtuous” and “obscene” is what sets the stage for the power dynamic between Tarquin and Lucretia. Lucretia is described as a kind of pious and virtuous being who just wants to be conquered. In fact, her breasts are later described as "like globes of ivory framed in blue, / A pair of unconquered virgin worlds" (Shakespeare 407). Descriptions like these are what make her less of a human being, and more of an object strictly for sex. . This is combined with the depiction of Tarquin who has now made up his mind and is completely overcome with lust. He is portrayed in such a way that he appears to have virtually no control over his movements. “His beating heart gladdens his burning eye, / his eye commends guidance to his hand; / His hand, as proud of such dignity, / Fuming with pride, marched to take its stand / On his bare breast, the heart of all his land” (Shakespeare 435). Here his hand, heart, and eye are depicted as moving independently, independent of him and his brain. This is how Shakespeare represents him as a voracious animal driven entirely by lust. Likewise, it is represented as an animal in search of its “prey”. “While she, image of pure piety, / Like a white doe under the sharp claws of anger, / Pleads in a desert where there are no laws, / To the rough beast who knows no gentle rights , / Nothing obeys but his filthy appetite. .” (Shakespeare 542). Tarquin is a “rough beast” and Lucretia is his innocent prey. He will not obey laws or social orders because of his “foul appetite”. Appetite being his desire for her. He knows no sweet entitlement because at this point all he knows is lust. This analogy is interesting because brute animals are not domesticated. They don't know how to tell right from wrong. However, sexual predators do. This is why they are looked down upon with such contempt in society. They know right from wrong, but they choose to ignore it. However, this is not how Shakespeare represents Tarquin here. It depicts it as a harsh, domesticated beast that knows nothing other than its insatiable appetite for its prey. The prey, Lucretia, can do nothing but cower and beg him to go away. She is powerless in the face of his authority and his appetite. This is the dynamic that Shakespeare represents. The final instance of the power dynamic occurs after the act of rape. It examines the psychology of rape victims, after the fact. Immediately after the rape ends, the poem says: "But she lost a thing dearer than life, / And he gained what he would lose again." / This forced league forces a new conflict; / This momentary joy generates months of pain; / This burning desire turns into cold disdain” (Shakespeare 687). Here, everyone's emotions become clear. As previously mentioned, Tarquin was filled with lust, or.