Comparing Spartacus And Varinia

In the film, Spartacus, the love between two slaves, Spartacus and Varinia, endure the best and worst of times. Spartacus and Varinia gain their freedom by rebelling against their owners, but they are still haunted by their experiences from being owned. The two enslaved lovers are united and torn apart through slavery and the power of Rome. The state of Rome implements strict guidelines for their slaves In Spartacus, Rome’s guidelines and restrictions for slaves allow Varinia and Spartacus to pass their boundaries and experience love through their rebellious acts.

In the scene where Spartacus and Varinia first interact at 20:20, the two are currently enslaved at the same camp where the rebellion takes place. While enslaved, Spartacus is taught different ways to fight and protect the Roman Empire, while Varinia cares for the owners of the slaves. Spartacus and Varinia encounter each other during a romantic situation that was arranged by the Romans. Romance is portrayed through the use of romantic music and soft lighting

when Varinia enters Spartacus’ room. A medium shot also shows that Spartacus is unaware of what to do with Varinia, as he has not been alone with a female before due to the restrictions of being a slave. At 21:25, two Roman individuals who are not enslaved, mock Spartacus for not knowing how to act in front of Varinia. A high angle with frontal lighting are used to portray a caged shadow on the face of Spartacus, depicting his disconnection from the outside world of a slave. The power of Rome prevents the state from seeing the cruelness they place upon the slaves, portraying Spartacus’ negative light on the city. The romantic interaction between Spartacus and Varinia would not be possible without Rome enslaving both males and females throughout the region. Varinia’s experience of being a slave allows her to understand why Spartacus did not know what to do, as she did hesitate to undress herself. The social structure of Rome brought Varinia and Spartacus
Following the separation of Spartacus and Varinia during the rebellion, at 1:13:15 the two are reunited when Spartacus and his army find a group of slaves including Varinia, who also escaped from their owners. Close-up shots are used to emphasize the happiness and love the two free individuals hold for each other. The state of Rome made a lasting emotional impact on the slaves that rebelled against them. For example, Varinia asks of Spartacus to forbid her from ever leaving him. Varinia compares her relationship with Spartacus to the relationship between a slave and owner. The two individuals have never been set free before, which allowed them to grow upon each other because they see each other as free individuals and not slaves. At 1:15:20 Varinia tells Spartacus that she loves him, but Spartacus becomes hesitant and confused because slavery refrained him from having romantic encounters. Spartacus’ corrupted emotional state leads to him telling Varinia that no one could sell her or give her away ever again putting Rome in a negative light once again.
At 1:58:20, Varinia sings the song from Spartacus’ childhood before she tells him that she is pregnant.

Through the rebellion of slavery and overcoming the strict guideline of class systems in Rome, Spartacus and Varinia were able to bring another life into the world. From Spartacus’ reflection from his childhood at 1:32:30, he was likely separated from his family due to slavery, but Varinia’s pregnancy showed he would possibly have a family again. Although, before the power of Rome tears Spartacus away from Varinia and his child, at 2:27:30, Spartacus tells Varinia to pray for their son to be born free and that he loves her more than his own life. Spartacus does not want his son to live through the cruel experiences placed upon him by the power of Rome. When Spartacus is torn apart from his family due to his actions from rebelling against the Roman Empire, the negative light shines upon Rome once again for tearing a happy family apart by

death.
Overall, In Spartacus, the boundaries set forth by the Roman Empire cause Varinia and Spartacus to unite then separate, influencing their love for each other. Through Spartacus’ and Varinia’s rebellious acts against the strict guidelines of powerful Rome, they were able to unite as one and create a child of their own. The power that Rome held influenced cruelty and harshness upon the slaves, leading to a negative light placed upon them. Although, the class system allowed Spartacus and Varinia to unite through their roles, which can be seen as a positive light. The two unite because they both are enslaved by Rome and are allowed to have a brief romantic encounter through their roles in the camp. Not only were they brought together by Rome, but they were also torn apart by the power of Rome. The cruel state tore apart Spartacus and his child by death. Spartacus portrays Rome in a largely negative light because the power of the state caused the chain reaction of the romantic relationship that led the birth of his child, then the destruction of his family.