Titus Andronicus Analysis

Literary Devices in Titus Andronicus

Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory

You probably noticed all the lopped-off body parts rolling around on stage in Titus Andronicus (there are six dismembered body parts total). You may have also noticed some metaphorical references...

Setting

Ever had a scary dream from which you couldn't wake up? Well, that's exactly the kind of setting Shakespeare creates in Titus Andronicus. The cycle of violence and revenge in the play is endless,...

Tone

We don't know about you, but when we first found out we were going to read and then watch Shakespeare's "bloodiest tragedy," we didn't exactly think there'd be a lot of laughs. But the thing about...

Writing Style

Like all of Shakespeare's plays, Titus Andronicus is written in a combination of verse (poetry) and prose (how we talk every day). In general, here's what you should remember about Shakespeare's p...

What's Up With the Title?

The full title of the play is The Tragedy of Titus Andronicus. This is pretty self-explanatory. If you guessed that this is a play about a guy named Titus Andronicus and terrible things happen to...

What's Up With the Ending?

In the "Genre" section, we explained how Titus Andronicus is a special kind a tragedy known as a revenge tragedy. Since all revenge tragedies feature a big bloodbath at the end, we're not really su...

Tough-o-Meter

Titus Andronicus may give you nightmares, but it's one of the easiest Shakespeare plays you'll ever read. The plot is pretty simple to follow (just remember that everyone is out for revenge) and t...

Classic Plot Analysis

Titus returns to Rome a war hero and gets rock star treatment.After ten years of war with the Goths, Titus returns home. He's elected Emperor of Rome but he declines and says he just wants to ret...

Booker's Seven Basic Plots Analysis

In this stage, Booker says, the hero is in some way incomplete and unfulfilled. His thoughts are turned toward the future in hope of some unusual gratification. When Titus returns home after a te...

Three-Act Plot Analysis

Titus returns to Rome after ten years of war with the Goths, names Saturninus emperor, and sacrifices Tamora's eldest son in a "religious" ritual.Tamora, who has just become the Empress of Rome, i...

Trivia

Psychedelic punk-rock band Titus Andronicus's 2008 debut album, The Airing of Grievances, features readings of dramatic lines and monologues from Shakespeare's bloody play (source).Over the years,...

Steaminess Rating

Tamora has a torrid and adulterous love affair with Aaron, who likes to go around bragging that he's made Tamora his love slave (2.1.1). Sounds steamy, right? Well, Titus Andronicus isn't exactly...

Allusions

Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book 6: The story of Philomel's rape by her brother-in-law, Tereus, and the revenge of Procne, who serves Tereus his son as a meal.Seneca's dramatic works, especially Thyestes...