Discussion Board Four

 Background: The artwork I selected was “The Death of Lucretia” by Pietro Francelli. It details the moment the Roman noblewoman Lucretia committed suicide in front of a cramped room. I tried to relate my figurative language to everything that I envisioned would have happened during and after the scene portrayed in the artwork.

Simile: The sorrow in Lucretia’s eyes filled the room like a dark cloud.

Metaphor: Her resolve was a blazing fire, consuming the darkness that dishonored her.

Alliteration: Profound pain was painted the faces of the petrified onlookers.

Onomatopoeia: The room was filled by the loud clink of the dagger hitting the floor.

Personification: The dagger seemed to cry out in anguish as it began to slide out from her now lifeless hand.

Hyperbole: Her act of defiance was so great, it shook the very foundations of Rome.

        1.) I glance over at Lucretia as she unsheathes a dagger. The room was dimly lit and very cramped, but I could see her clear as day. The sorrow in her eyes was like a dark cloud, casting a shadow of dread over the entire room. She flipped the weapon towards herself and in a split second, before the any of us could fully cry out, plunged the dagger into her bosom. As the weapon left her chest, it seemed to yell in anguish, its silent scream echoing in my mind. Lucretia’s tight grip on it began to weaken and the hilt began to slide out of her now lifeless hand. The room was filled by the loud clink of the dagger hitting the floor. Everyone froze. It was as if time itself had stood still. Profound pain was painted on the faces of the petrified onlookers, myself included. What happened to that woman was nothing short of tragic. Her honor had been irreparably damaged, and the only way she could make a statement was by doing the unimaginable, despite my reassurances. Whilst I do find this whole ordeal to be shocking and, quite frankly, very depressing, perhaps it’ll finally bring about the change that I’ve been longing to see in our flawed system. Maybe people will now be able to realize what I already have: that the government is corrupt, and those connected to it will only continue to unjustly hurt its people and push them over the edge.

            2.)  The story of Lucretia is a tale that highlights the impact of preserving personal honor. Lucretia was a noblewoman in Rome who was subjected to a violent sexual assault at the hands of Sextus Tarquinius. Despite reassurances from this closest to her, she made the fateful decision to end her life and return her lost honor. This scene is portrayed in “The Death of Lucretia” by Pietro Francelli. It details the moment in which Lucretia ended her life in front of horrified spectators. As she stands there, eyes full of despair and dagger in hand, those around her can be seen in a state of panicked shock. Some reach out to her, others sit flabbergasted. In the end, however, Lucretia’s mind is made, and she takes her own life. The contrasting light and dark colors highlight the gloomy energy surrounding the scene. Lucretia is the only thing emphasized in the picture, perhaps signifying death. Regardless, her demise brought awareness to the government’s misdeeds and would lead to the overthrow of the Roman monarchy.