The Tragedy of Titus Andronicus is Shakespeare’s earliest tragedy. Like Hamlet, which it presages, it is also a revenge play. Steeped in blood and gore, Titus is such a horror show that some doubt it is really Shakespeare. It is, as can be seen in the tight construction and in a character like Aaron, the proud villain, a precursor of Richard III.
Titus returns to Rome in triumph after ten years of fighting the Goths. He has only four sons left, twenty-one having died in battle. He brings Tamora, the
Back in Rome, Tamora believes Titus to be demented. She goes to him dressed as the infernal spirit of Revenge, and promises him vengeance if he will persuade his son to reconcile with Rome. Titus agrees, and says he will hold a feast of forgiveness with the emperor, Tamora, and Lucius. However, he asks the supposed spirit to leave her attendants Rapine and Murder with him while he prepares.
The emperor and queen come to the feast. Titus asks the emperor if a father should kill a daughter who has been dishonored. Saturninus agrees. Titus then kills Lavinia, and tells the emperor what Tamora’s sons did. The emperor asks to see them. Titus reveals that their bodies are in the pie their mother has been enjoying, and kills her. The emperor kills Titus, and Lucius arrives and kills the emperor, for revenge.
Lucius is proclaimed emperor. Aaron is half-buried alive, and dies unrepentant, “If one good deed in all my life I did, I do repent it from my very soul.” Lucius grants Saturninus a proper burial, but throws Tamora’s body to the dogs, “And being dead, let birds on her take pity.”
Films have been made of this blood-soaked play, including a 1999 version with Anthony Hopkins as Titus, and Jessica Lange as Tamora.
The Tragedy of Titus Andronicus is Shakespeare’s earliest tragedy. Like Hamlet, which it presages, it is also a revenge play. Steeped in blood and gore, Titus is such a horror show that some doubt it is really Shakespeare. It is, as can be seen in the tight construction and in a character like Aaron, the proud villain, a precursor of Richard III.Titus returns to Rome in triumph after ten years of fighting the Goths. He has only four sons left, twenty-one having died in battle. He brings Tamora, the Back in Rome, Tamora believes Titus to be demented. She goes to him dressed as the infernal spirit of Revenge, and promises him vengeance if he will persuade his son to reconcile with Rome. Titus agrees, and says he will hold a feast of forgiveness with the emperor, Tamora, and Lucius. However, he asks the supposed spirit to leave her attendants Rapine and Murder with him while he prepares.The emperor and queen come to the feast. Titus asks the emperor if a father should kill a daughter who has been dishonored. Saturninus agrees. Titus then kills Lavinia, and tells the emperor what Tamora’s sons did. The emperor asks to see them. Titus reveals that their bodies are in the pie their mother has been enjoying, and kills her. The emperor kills Titus, and Lucius arrives and kills the emperor, for revenge.Lucius is proclaimed emperor. Aaron is half-buried alive, and dies unrepentant, “If one good deed in all my life I did, I do repent it from my very soul.” Lucius grants Saturninus a proper burial, but throws Tamora’s body to the dogs, “And being dead, let birds on her take pity.”Films have been made of this blood-soaked play, including a 1999 version with Anthony Hopkins as Titus, and Jessica Lange as Tamora.
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