Poetry Quote by Peter Porter
““Shakespeare's ambiguous lubricity in Venus is less disturbing than the bleakly moral emphasis of Lucrece , where virtue is so low-spirited, its exclamation so lachrymose and its justification the nasty realpolitik of Roman Republicanism. The sun has not dried the dew on the grass in Venus , but the ill-lit world of Livy's Rome darkens Lucrece . The first poem lives out of doors; the second is in a permanent chiaroscuro.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Uncanny and the Moral” by Peter Porter, 1994
Porter contrasts the sensual openness of Shakespeare’s Venus with the oppressive moralism of Lucrece, suggesting the latter’s virtue feels forced and politically cynical.
In simple terms: Shakespeare’s love is freer; Lucrece’s virtue feels heavy and political.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when moral strictness becomes oppressive.
Themes
literature
morality
politics
contrast
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
critical
comparative
When to use this quote
- reading Shakespeare
- studying Roman history
- analyzing poetry
- teaching literature
Key Concepts
human desire
ethical rigidity
historical context
Questions to Reflect On
- How does moral framing affect emotional impact?
- Can sensuality and virtue coexist without tension?
A Different Perspective
The comparison may oversimplify each work’s complexity.
