"I don't know how to defend myself: surprised innocence cannot imagine being under suspicion"

In this quote, Pierre Corneille is revealing the idea that when somebody is really innocent, they can not fathom the idea of being accused or believed of misbehavior. The expression "shocked innocence" suggests a sense of shock and disbelief at the mere thought of being under suspicion. Corneille is highlighting the truth that innocence is frequently related to naivety and a lack of understanding of the harsh truths of the world. For that reason, the concept of needing to protect oneself against incorrect accusations is foreign and unsettling to somebody who is truly innocent. This quote acts as a pointer to not evaluate others too quickly and to always consider the possibility of innocence.