In Shakespeare’s tragedy Titus Andronicus, the title character of the play is the clear protagonist and is meant to be viewed with sympathy, and as a noble figure, by the readers/viewers. Conversely, the villains of the play – Tamora, Chiron, Demetrius, Saturninus and, especially, Aaron – are meant to be seen as varying degrees of evil and undoubtedly play a significant role in causing the tragic events that dominate the play’s action. However, the character of Titus, while honorable in nature, has his own flaws which contribute to the tragic atmosphere of the play. Within Titus Andronicus, who is more responsible for bringing about the tragic events, the protagonists (Titus and his family) or the antagonists (listed above)? Please be advised that it is required to utilize direct quotations from the text in order to support your analysis.
Basic Structure
Intro
Body/Support
BP 1: One reason for protagonists OR antagonists
BP 2: A second reason for whichever side you chose in the thesis
BP 3: Rebuttal – Talk about the other side of the argument
Conclusion
Titus Andronicus Protagonist/Antagonist Chart
Protagonists (Titus & Family) Antagonists (Tamora & sons, Aaron, Saturninus)
1. Titus’s sacrifice of Alarbus 1. Tamora making innocents suffer (e.g. Lavinia)
2. Titus killing his own son 2. Aaron creating chaos just for the sake of it
3. Titus rejecting the throne and choosing Saturninus to serve as emperor 3. Saturnine’s ignorance of events in his own kingdom
4. Titus sticks too much to his traditional views 4. Tamora & sons take revenge too far?
5. Titus and his family takes revenge too far?
How to quote from Shakespeare:
In his final lines of the play, Aaron proclaims that “If one good deed in all my life I did, / I do repent it from my very soul” (5.3.189-90).
(Use at least one quote per paragraph)
Titus Andronicus read: https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/titus-andronicus/read/
