The theme of rape in Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus and Lucrece

Essay from the year 2005 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 67% (grade B), University of Cambridge (English Department), course: Independent Learning Module, language: English, abstract: Dieses Essay beschäftigt sich vor allen Dingen mit der Vergewaltigung der Lavinia in William Shakespeares "Titus Andronicus", um sich anschließend der der Lucretia in "The Rape of Lucrece" zuzuwenden. Welche Rolle spielt diese Gewalttat für die Beziehung der Figuren untereinander? Wie hat sich Lavinias Selbstverständnis verändert? Wie das Verhältnis zu ihrer Familie? Wie erlebt Lucretia die Vergewaltigung? Warum ihr Selbstmord?

This essay mainly deals with the rape of Lavinia in William Shakespeare's "Titus Andronicus" before considering shortly also the rape of Lucrece in the poem of the same name. Why is this crime so important for the interaction and relationships of the characters? How does Lavinia perceive herself before and after the rape? Does it affect the relationship with her family? In which manner does Lucrece experience the rape? Why does she commit suicide?