אונס לוקרציה – מבוא

This introduction examines William Shakespeare's 1594 narrative poem The Rape of Lucrece within its historical and literary contexts, accompanying the first translation of the poem into Hebrew. The essay traces Lucretia's story from Roman accounts (Livy, Ovid) through Chaucer to Shakespeare, analyzing how each retelling reflects changing cultural values regarding sexual violence and female virtue.
Shakespeare departs from earlier treatments by exploring the internal consciousness of both perpetrator and victim, particularly Lucrece's psychological experience following the assault. The analysis demonstrates how Shakespeare situates the tragedy within patriarchal structures where women's bodies serve as battlegrounds for male honor.
Special attention is given to Shakespeare's unique additions: the ekphrastic scene depicting Troy's fall, and the sustained interiority granted to Lucrece herself. These innovations reframe the tale as an examination of how patriarchal values—even when internalized by women—prove destructive. The essay argues that Shakespeare critiques the social structures enabling such violence rather than eroticizing or justifying it.