In "Titus Andronicus," playwright William Shakespeare creates a political system paired with a delicate social order, dictating the story's set hierarchy. Written with Roman influence, "Titus Andronicus" portrays a tragic hero's dehumanization into madness, a grief-stricken Queen's revenge, a hellishly evil Moor, and other profound character changes which are explored throughout the darkness of the play. .
In the opening scene, Saturninus, the later Emperor of Rome, is celebrating the homecoming of a Roman nobleman and military hero who was vital to the conquering of the Goths: Titus Andronicus. Wasting no time in introducing this tragic hero, Shakespeare emblazons Titus by giving him the reputation of "Rome's best champion "(I.i.65), as well as "patron of virtue " (I.i.65). This hyperbole is a key indicator of the hero's eventual downfall; after boasting of such an illustrious character, it is rare that the subject of such praise will not undergo a significant change, for better or worse. However, that remains independent of the fact that a Roman Nobleman, tried and tested in the fields of battle, is treated with the utmost respect. .
The next character Shakespeare introduces in this political order is Tamora, the conquered Queen of the Goths. Though, in the first scene, she seems to be a caring, noble mother, the Queen is quite a vixen. As she grows more and more bitter at the "slaughter"" (1.i.112) of her eldest son, Alarbus, she becomes increasingly devious. Knowing that she will find no quarter in a position of weakness, she marries Saturninus to become Queen of Rome. Thus, having wedded into a powerful position, her resources are limitless. Her goals are simple: she will "massacre them all/And raze their faction and their family "(1.i.447-448). .
Though Tamora is cunning, she takes a Moorish lover, Aaron. In this play, he is the Morality Vice; he is responsible for every heinous act committed in Titus and, to make matters worse, he is proud of it.
