# Philomela — Poetry character guide

> Philomela in Poetry by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Philomel

**First appearance:** 0001-the-rape-of-lucrece

## Who they are

A mythological figure who was raped and transformed into a nightingale, invoked by Lucrece.

## Relationships

### [Lucrece](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_28_se/characters/lucrece)

_psychological_

Lucrece compares herself to Philomela, another rape victim, finding a tragic sisterhood in shared suffering.

## In the story

### [The Passionate Pilgrim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters/the-passionate-pilgrim)

Mentioned as Philomela, whose song is contrasted with the lark.

### [Sonnet 15](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters/xv)

The speaker listens to Philomela's song while waiting for dawn.

### [Sonnets to Sundry Notes of Music](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters/sonnets-to-sundry-notes-of-music)

Implied through the nightingale's song 'Tereu, tereu!' referencing the myth of Philomela and Tereus.

### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters/xxi)

The nightingale, whose mournful song and pierced breast symbolize the poet's own sorrow and isolation.

### [Sonnet CII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters/cii)

Referenced as Philomel, whose seasonal singing is used as a metaphor for the speaker's poetic restraint.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_28_se/characters/philomela
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_28_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_28_se/characters