1) Consider the way familial relations factor into the motivation of characters in this text? Which characters make decisions based on their familial relations? Why?
2) In what ways is Titus a tragic hero? Does he deserve the label?
3) Consider the character of Aaron the Moor: what is his motivation? To what extent is this motivation about the pursuit of power? Does this motivation remain constant throughout the text?
4) What is the significance of Tamora’s role as a woman of power in Titus Andronicus? Are her crimes more shocking because she is female? Compare Tamora with the character of Lavinia – what are their designated roles? To what extent (if any) do they fulfill those roles?
5) What is the significance of the city of Rome to this text? What role does Rome play in the revenge tragedy?
6) What is the relationship between the themes of violence and metamorphosis in the text? For example: at the end of Titus Andronicus, Lucius is elected as the new emperor of Rome, the one “To heal Rome’s harms, and wipe away her woe,” yet throughout the text
Lucius is associated with violence, bloodshed, and death. How is the redemption of this flawed man achieved?
7) Titus Andronicus is one of the few Shakespeare plays that does not have an acknowledged, direct source, yet the plot is clearly underpinned and influenced by the stories of Philomela and Lucrece, how and why are these stories important to this text? How important is it that the reader understand this influence?
8) Titus Andronicus is described as a revenge tragedy. To what extent is revenge the dominating factor in character motivation throughout the text?
9) Consider Julie Taymor’s film version of the play Titus: How does the film interpret Shakespeare’s original? Concentrate on one or two scenes/characters/themes in your analysis [if you answer this question you must ensure you reference the text of the play and not just review the film].
QUOTING FROM SHAKESPEARE:
Always italicize or underline the title of the play or film
Citation style: (Act.Scene.Lines) So: Act 4. Scene 2. Lines 28-39 = (4.2.28-39) or (IV.2.28-39).
When you quote from the text, do so exactly, and EVERY time you quote, include the reference to the text as follows (for example):
‘At the beginning of the play, Saturninus, the eldest son of the dead emperor, calls to his followers, “Noble patricians, patrons of my right, / Defend the justice of my cause with arms” (1.1.1-2). After this, Bassianus, the younger brother, makes his appeal on the grounds of his nobility, for a general election.’
OR:
At the beginning of the play, Saturninus, the eldest son of the dead emperor, calls to his followers:
Noble patricians, patrons of my right,
Defend the justice of my cause with arms.
And countrymen, my loving followers,
Plead my successive title with your swords (I.1.1-4).
After this, Bassianus, the younger brother, makes his appeal on the grounds of his nobility, for a general election.
Additional notes: please do not use quotes that describe the plot, essay needs to be specific in the topic, explaining a clear thesis and theme relevant to the prompt chosen
