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

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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