Shakespeare | Titus Andronicus | A Review
Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus-A Review
“Titus Andronicus” is one of Shakespeare’s early plays, and is known for its extreme violence and gore, as well as its exploration of themes such as revenge, power, and family loyalty. The play tells the story of the Roman general Titus Andronicus, who returns from a long and victorious war against the Goths, only to find himself embroiled in a cycle of revenge and violence that ultimately leads to his downfall.
The play opens with the death of the emperor of Rome and the subsequent power struggle between his sons Saturninus and Bassianus. Titus, who is revered by the people of Rome for his military prowess, is asked to choose between the two brothers, and he decides to support Saturninus. In return, Saturninus agrees to marry Titus’ daughter Lavinia, even though she is already betrothed to Bassianus.
The first act sets the stage for the rest of the play, as the tension between the various characters builds and the seeds of revenge are sown. The play’s violent and gruesome nature is first revealed in Act II, when Tamora, the queen of the Goths, and her sons are taken captive by Titus. Tamora’s eldest son is sacrificed by Titus as revenge for the death of his own sons in the war, and the cycle of revenge begins.
The remainder of the play is a series of gruesome acts of revenge and counter-revenge, as various characters seek to avenge their own losses and humiliations. The most horrific of these is the rape and mutilation of Lavinia, who is eventually killed by her own father as an act of mercy.
Despite its reputation for violence and gore, “Titus Andronicus” is a play that explores important themes such as power, revenge, and the corrupting influence of violence. It is also a play that raises important questions about the nature of justice and the limits of human cruelty.
One of the most interesting aspects of the play is the way in which it portrays the corrupting influence of power. Throughout the play, we see characters who are willing to go to extreme lengths to maintain their power, including murder, betrayal, and torture. This desire for power ultimately leads to their downfall, as they become increasingly isolated and paranoid.
Another important theme in the play is the idea of revenge. The play raises important questions about the nature of revenge, and whether it is ever truly justified. The characters in the play seek revenge for a variety of reasons, but ultimately it only leads to more violence and suffering.
Finally, the play raises important questions about the nature of justice. Throughout the play, we see characters who are driven by a desire for justice, but who ultimately find that justice is elusive and difficult to define. The play suggests that justice is not always clear-cut, and that it is often difficult to find a resolution that satisfies everyone.
Overall, “Titus Andronicus” is a fascinating and complex play that raises important questions about power, revenge, and justice. While it is not for the faint of heart, it is a play that rewards careful reading and reflection and is an important work in Shakespeare’s canon. 0 0 0.
Shakespeare | Titus Andronicus | A Review
N. B. This article ‘Shakespeare | Titus Andronicus | A Review’ originally belongs to the book ‘Reviews on William Shakespeare’s Works‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
Books of Literary Criticism by M. Menonimus:
- World Short Story Criticism
- World Poetry Criticism
- World Drama Criticism
- World Novel Criticism
- World Essay Criticism
- Indian English Poetry Criticism
- Indian English Poets and Poetry Chief Features
- Emily Dickinson’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Walt Whitman’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Critical Essays on English Poetry
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: Return of the Spirit-An Analytical Study
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: ‘Yawmiyyat Naib Fil Arayaf’-An Analytical Study
- Analytical Studies of Some Arabic Short Stories
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Pre-Islamic Period (500 AD-622 AD)
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Early Islamic Period (622 AD-661 AD)
- Reviews on William Shakespeare’s Works …
Additional Searches:
- Reviews of Shakesperare’s Best Plays
- Shakespeare’s Works
- Introduction to Shakespearean Tragedy
- Shakespeare’s Sonnets
- Shakespearean Comedy ….
