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Civilization In Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus

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In the first two acts of Titus Andronicus, William Shakespeare mainly depicts Rome’s struggle between its idealized civilization and its indelible barbarous nature. First, Titus Andronicus enters in honor of his victory in the war against Goth. While the oldest son Saturninus and virtuous Bassinus argue over the throne, Marcus nominates Titus to be the new emperor for his “pius” achievement of military glory (1.1.23), which stands against the “barbarous Goths” (1.1.28). Marcus’s praise of Titus’ military victory suggests that Rome characterizes itself as civilized by destroying the barbarism which represented by the Goths. However, in order to prevent unnecessary social unrest, Titus refuses the honor and decides to give the throne to Saturninus.

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