Titus Andronicus Theme Essay

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The second main theme is death and subsequent revenge. Death is seen immediately in Titus Andronicus, as previously stated. Most of Titus’s children have been killed in the campaign, and he returns to Rome to bury them. He brings Tamora and her sons as prisoners, and sacrifices the eldest for the sons he lost. This immediately sparks the desire for revenge in both Tamora and her sons. Titus does not shy away from death and violence; he is a general, and has been for many years. Though he is tired of his position due to his age and the stress of fighting, he continues to serve Rome loyally. Also previously mentioned, Titus does not hesitate to kill his own son when he stops being the perfect son. Tamora’s order to her sons to kill Bassianus cost Titus two more sons, Quintus and Martius, who were framed for the death due to Aaron’s letter. Immediately after the trial where the fate of the two brothers is decided, …show more content…

Saturninus, Tamora, and several senators of Rome are invited to Titus’s house for a feast. Lucius has completed his task of gathering an army and returns home with Aaron as prisoner. As Titus serves meat to the guests, he asks Saturninus if it is right for a father to kill a daughter that was raped. Saturninus replies that it is justifiable, as she would not be able to live with the shame and her life would just bring the father misery. It is then that Titus kills Lavinia in plain sight. Whether this death is a mercy killing or not is debatable. On one hand, Lavinia was unable to communicate without a tongue and hands and she would by no means be able to marry. Moreover, she was likely suffering the pain of losing these body parts as well as the unspeakable pain of being violated. On the other hand, it is possible she could have found some form of fulfillment in life even after her abuse, or found a way to write similar to the stick in the dirt solution Marcus offered

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