The Black and Red Blood

Lucrece's blood symbolizes the effects of her traumatic experience. After she dies, her blood undergoes a magical transformation: "Some of her blood still pure and red remained / And some looked black, and that false Tarquin stained" (1743-1744). Lucrece has not been completely changed by Tarquin's attack, as some of her blood remains normal, but some of her blood – and thus parts of Lucrece's life – has changed.

The Nightingale

The nightingale symbolizes the sorrow of women who have been mistreated. The poem cites the myth of Philomel, a woman who was sexually assaulted by her brother-in-law, Tereus. To prevent Philomel telling the truth to her sister, Tereus also cut out her tongue. To give her back her voice, the gods turned her into a nightingale, and now she sings her sorrow forever.

The Fall of Troy

The Fall of Troy symbolizes the act...