Titus Andronicus

Titus Andronicus is the earliest tragedy and the earliest Roman play attributed to be one of William Shakespeare's plays. Titus, a model Roman, has led 21 of his 25 sons to death in Rome's wars; he stabs another son to death for what he views as disloyalty to Rome. Yet Rome has become "a wilderness of tigers." After a death sentence is imposed on two of his three remaining sons, and his daughter is raped and mutilated, Titus turns his loyalty towards his family.

Aaron the Moor, a magnificent villain and the empress's secret lover, makes a similar transition. After the empress bears him a secret child, Aaron devotes himself to preserving the baby. Retaining his thirst for evil, he shows great tenderness to his little family, a tenderness that also characterizes Titus before the terrifying conclusion.

Titus Andronicus was first published in a 1594 quarto, which survives in a single copy at the Folger Shakespeare Library. Some scholars date the writing of the play to 1591-92; others argue for 1593-94. The play draws on Ovid's Metamorphoses and Senecan tragedy.

Early editions

First Folio

LUNA: First Folio: 2c4v - 2e2v

Hamnet: STC 22273 Fo. 1 no. 68

Second Folio

LUNA: Second Folio: 2e6v - 2g4r

Hamnet: STC 22274 Fo. 2 no. 07

First Quarto

LUNA: First Quarto

Hamnet: STC 22328

Third Quarto

LUNA: Third Quarto

Hamnet: STC 22330 Copy 1

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  The title page of Titus Andronicus printed in the 1594 First Quarto. STC 22328.

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  The title page of Titus Andronicus printed in the 1623 First Folio. STC 22273 Fo.1 no.68.

Modern editions

Titus Andronicus can be read online with Folger Digital Texts and purchased from Simon and Schuster.

Hamnet link to Folger Edition: PR2753 .M6 2003 copy 2 v.33

Notes

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