Who Is More Uncivilized In Titus Andronicus?

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A fathering text to Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, says T.W Baldwin, was a chapbook that was interested in the relationship between the Goths and the Romans (Kermode 1067), an idea that appears as an underlying theme throughout the play. In Titus Andronicus, the characters are often observed trying to discover which people, the Goths or the Romans, are more uncivilized. In the opening of the play, in response to the Roman’s inhuman sacrifice ritual, Chiron, son to the Gothic queen Tamora asks “Was never Scythia half so barbarous” (Shakespeare 1.1.131), claiming, though he is a Goth, his people were never so barbaric. Just moment after, Titus’s brother, Marcus, attempts to reason with him, saying “Thou art a Roman, be not barbarous” (1.1.378). He accuses Titus of being …show more content…

He takes it upon himself to lift Lavinia’s spirits despite her circumstances, by keeping her company. In the woods with Lavinia, Titus displays his most paternal moments. Nonetheless, despite countless tender displays of affection towards Lavinia, he heeds advice from Saturninus and kills her as easily as he comforted her, shouting, “Die, Die Lavinia and thy shame with thee and with thy shame thy fathers sorrow dies” (5.3.46-7). His outburst shows that he wanted her dead, so she could escape her shame yet, truthfully, he wanted her dead so he could be free from his sorrow. Throughout the play, in response to Lavinia’s situation, Titus is shown reciting beautiful statements of sympathy and sorrow, yet in every mention of Lavinia’s situation, Titus manages to address his feelings over hers “He that wounded her hath hurt me more than he kill’d me dead” (3.1.90-1). Titus kills Lavinia not for mercy but for selfish desires, he is seen again favoring his own feelings over the wellbeing of his

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