# The Argument explained — Poetry > Chapter companion for Poetry by William Shakespeare. ## What happens Tarquin, consumed by lust, wrestles with his conscience before forcing himself upon Lucrece. The poem details his internal debate, the violation, and Lucrece's subsequent despair and outcry against the night. ## Themes in this chapter ### Lust and Morality Tarquin's internal conflict between his lustful desires and his moral conscience is central to the chapter. ### Truth and Deception Tarquin deceives himself, justifying his actions while knowing the truth of his betrayal. ## Character check-ins ### Tarquin Struggles with his lust and conscience, ultimately committing the rape. ### Lucrece The victim of Tarquin's assault, she laments her shame and the night. ### Collatine Lucrece's husband, mentioned as the one Tarquin betrays. ### Collatinus Referenced in Tarquin's internal debate as the wronged husband. ### Narcissus Mentioned in Tarquin's recollection of Lucrece's beauty. ## Key lines > This hot desire converts to cold disdain: Pure Chastity is rifled of her store, And Lust, the thief, far poorer than before. His burning lust turns to cold disgust, leaving chastity violated and lust itself empty. _Describes the aftermath of Tarquin's act._ > O, deeper sin than bottomless conceit Can comprehend in still imagination! This sin is so profound that even the deepest thought cannot fully grasp it. _Highlights the enormity of Tarquin's transgression._ > She says, her subjects with foul insurrection Have batter'd down her consecrated wall, And by their mortal fault brought in subjection Her immortality, and made her thrall To living death and pain perpetual. Her soul's faculties have rebelled, destroying its sacred defenses and subjecting her immortality to endless suffering. _Lucrece's soul is personified as a besieged kingdom._ > He like a thievish dog creeps sadly thence; She like a wearied lamb lies panting there; He scowls and hates himself for his offence; She, desperate, with her nails her flesh doth tear; He slinks away like a guilty thief, while she lies exhausted like a lamb, tearing at her own flesh in despair. _Contrasts the aftermath for Tarquin and Lucrece._ > O comfort-killing Night, image of hell! Dim register and notary of shame! Black stage for tragedies and murders fell! Night, you bring no comfort and resemble hell; you are the dark record and witness of shame, the stage for terrible tragedies and murders. _Lucrece curses the night for concealing the crime._ > What win I, if I gain the thing I seek? A dream, a breath, a froth of fleeting joy. Who buys a minute's mirth to wail a week? Or sells eternity to get a toy? What do I gain by achieving my desire? Only a fleeting, insubstantial joy. Who would trade a week of sorrow for a minute of pleasure, or sell eternal peace for a trivial prize? _Tarquin's rational argument against his own lust._ > Desire my pilot is, beauty my prize; Then who fears sinking where such treasure lies? Desire is my guide, beauty is my reward; who would fear drowning when such treasure is at stake? _Tarquin resolves to proceed, overriding his fears._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters/the-argument - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_28_se/chapters