The Rape of Lucrece

Read & Co. Classics presents this new beautiful edition of William Shakespeare's narrative poem, "The Rape of Lucrece". This edition features a specially commissioned new biography of William Shakespeare. Set in Rome, the poem tells a tragic tale of lust, conquest, violence and politics. Collatine expresses his love for his wife Lucrece, to a fellow soldier, Tarquin. Hearing of her ‘chastity’, Tarquin is overcome with his desire to alter this and seeks out Lucrece in Collatine’s absence. He threatens and rapes her, and the poem follows the consequences of his violent actions. William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is considered to be the greatest writer in the English language and is celebrated as the world's most famous dramatist.