Titus Andronicus

The spirit of revenge that permeates TITUS ANDRONICUS, Shakespeare's first tragedy, is ignited when Lucius, the son of the celebrated general, Titus, calls for a human sacrifice after waging a successful campaign against the Goths. The son of Tamora, the captive Queen of the Goths, is chosen for the role. As a patriot and high ranking general, it falls to Titus to name the successor of the throne. When Titus names Saturninus, the eldest of the Emperors two rival sons, Saturninus pledges to marry Titus's daughter, Lavinia. However, it had previously been arranged that Bassianus, the Emperor's younger son was to marry her, and when Titus's own sons defend this union, Titus kills one in the scuffle that follows. Although Titus was defending the authority of Saturninus, Saturninus fears Titus's popularity, and uses the chaotic environment to undermine Titus by marrying Tamora, who swears to avenge Titus for the sacrifice of her son. Bassianus thus marries Lavinia after all, but the honeymoon is short-lived, for Tamara's sons kill Bassianus and rape and mutilate Lavinia, severing both hands and her tongue. Lavinia is presented to Titus just as he is overcome with the grief of the impending execution of two of his sons. A messenger of Tamora promises that they will be spared in exchange for Titus's own hand. However, after sacrificing his hand, it is returned to him on a platter beside the heads of his sons. Titus, dressed as a chef, executes a particularly gruesome revenge for this, which he serves to Tamora with relish. In depicting revenge with gusto, Shakespeare was participating in the growing popularity of the Elizabethan revenge play, of which Hamlet is a graceful example. TITUS ANDRONICUS was first published in 1594, but its composition may have been as early as 1588. Frequent publication suggests popularity in Shakespeare's day. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.