theater and videoed performances

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THE RAPE OF LUCRECE

THE RAPE OF LUCRECE: a 16 minute cold reading of a portion of William Shakespeare's Epic poem.: 

CHARACTERS:

The Narrator (black and white) and Tarquin (color) Both portrayed by one actor

SUMMARY of the 16 minute cold reading that takes place in Tarquin'schambers and the hallway leading to Lucrece's door.

Tarquin's head bleeds from brushing against a dead branch in a blackened forest as he races on horseback from Ardea where the Romans are fighting to the city of Collatium. 

Tarquin is torn by his lust for Lucrece, his best friend, Collatine's wife. He finds himself wandering aimlessly about his chamber just down a darkened hallway from Lucrece's chambers. 

On one hand, there is his position as a military man who should not be the slave of his emotions; on the other hand is his overwhelming desire. He fears the dreadful consequences. His disgrace would never be forgotten. Perhaps his own face would show the mark of his crimes and the advertisement linger on even after death. 

At last, emotion conquers reason. As Tarquin makes his way down the hallway to Lucrece’s chamber, many petty annoyances deter him. The locks on the doors have to be forced; the threshold beneath the door grates under his footstep; the wind threatens to blow out his torch; he pricks his finger on a needle. Tarquin ignores these omens of disaster. In fact, he misconstrues them as forms of trial that only make his “prize” more worth winning.

He slowly cracks the door to Lucrece’s chamber. (THE END OF THE COLD READING)

SUMMARY OF THE FINAL SCENES OF THE POEM

Full of shame and guilt, Tarquin sneaks away. Lucrece is devastated, furious and suicidal. She writes a letter to her husband, Collatine begging him to come home. Colltine demands the name of name of the rapist. Before revealing his name, Lucrece draws promises from the assembled soldiers that the loss of her honor would be avenged. Then, naming Tarquin as the rapist, she draws a knife from her bosom and stabs herself.

Collantinus’ grief is great — he wants to kill himself, as well. His friend, Brutus, suggests that revenge is a better choice. The soldiers carry Lucrece’s body through the streets of Rome. The angered citizens, banish the emperor, his son, and the entire family from the city. Rome becomes a democratic state.