Poetry · Chapter
CXXVI explained
The chapter discusses the most disagreeable form of masculine hypocrisy, which manifests as pretended remorse for impossible gallantries.
What happens
The chapter discusses the most disagreeable form of masculine hypocrisy, which manifests as pretended remorse for impossible gallantries.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the speaker’s obsessive pursuit of the divine rose fragrance…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Hypocrisy and Corruption
The chapter explicitly condemns masculine hypocrisy expressed through false remorse for impossible gallantries.
- Deception and Self-Deception
The pretended remorse described is a form of self-deception and deception of others.
Key passages
“The most disagreeable form of masculine hypocrisy is that which finds expression in pretended remorse for impossible gallantries.”
The worst kind of male hypocrisy is when a man fakes regret for romantic or sexual adventures that never actually happened.
Condemns false remorse as a particularly odious form of hypocrisy.
