Poetry · Character
Lucrece
A Roman wife whose beauty and virtue are praised so recklessly by her husband that a prince rides to Collatium to test the treasure for himself.
major
Also known as Poor Lucrece, sweet Lucrece, Lucretia, Harmless Lucretia
First appearance: the rape of lucrece
As a major figure in Poetry, Lucrece is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
The victim of Tarquin's assault, she laments her shame and the night.
Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.
With Lucretius (family): Lucrece is the devoted wife of Lucretius, and her rape and suicide bring him profound grief and a drive for vengeance. With Collatine (family): Collatine is Lucrece's husband, whose boast about…
Continue beside the text
The fuller portrait of Lucrece sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Lucrece in the rape of lucreceCharacter Web
20 connectionsA slice of how Lucrece sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Family
- Psychological
- Other
Character groups
- Protagonist
- Mythological and Personified Figures
- Roman Political Figures
- Trojan War Figures
+15 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because the speaker reaches an emotional and psychological peak of self-aware torm…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- Lucretius
family · positive
Lucrece is the devoted wife of Lucretius, and her rape and suicide bring him profound… How this plays out →
- Collatine
family · positive
- Tarquin
psychological · negative
- Collatinus
family · positive
- Priam
psychological · ambivalent
- Pyrrhus
psychological · negative
- Adonis
social · ambivalent
- Philomela
psychological · negative
- Tarquin
psychological · negative
- Priam
psychological · ambivalent
- Pyrrhus
psychological · negative
- Lucretius
family · positive
Lucrece is the devoted wife of Lucretius, and her rape and suicide bring him profound… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Lucrece in the rape of lucreceIn the story
Lucrece appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Lucrece unlock in the free preview.
See Lucrece in the rape of lucrece