How Is Titus Andronicus A Good Father

550 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Literary analysis of a father's story

A parent’s main concern is expected to be their child's welfare and safety. Nonetheless, in Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus, Titus’ priorities as a father are blurred because of his selfishness. His children are caught in the crossfire because he is more concerned about himself and family’s reputation, instead of them. Surprisingly, Aaron conveys the impression of being increasingly selfless compared to Titus, therefore he is a better father.
Aaron is a protective father who is willing to risk his life for his child. His affair with Tamora can get him executed because the baby is proof that they were together. It cannot be denied because there are witnesses such as Chiron, Demetrius, the nurse, the midwife, and Tamora. Despite all of this, he fights against …show more content…

He states, “bring you up To be a warrior, and command a camp.” (Shakespeare 4.2.1875-76)
Aaron wants his child to be a warrior, however, he does not state that he wants him to engulf himself in villainy and cruelty. The child is a gift to Aaron, and for him, he drops everything in order to save him. “This before all the world do I prefer; This maugre all the world will I keep safe, Or some of you shall smoke for it in Rome.”(Shakespeare 4.2.1799-1801)
There are opinions that accredit Titus as an ideal father because he is a general, he is disciplined and seeks justice for his children. Nonetheless, Lavinia’s rape and mutilation is a pivotal turning point that pushes Titus over the edge. Titus then seeks revenge and is no longer tied to traditions and discipline. Aaron carried out schemes because he was trying to survive. He needed to somehow find a way to benefit from Tamora so that he could have some sense of security. He ends his relationship with Tamora not only because he is tired of being a subordinate for so long, but also because his child is giving him a new opportunity, a new future- one that can be

Show More
Related

  • Different Aspects of Familial Love in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

    1957 Words  | 4 Pages

    middle of paper ... ... at it was just a reflex action to compete with each other. From this play, it seems that children from the time that it was based had almost no relationship with their parents. Today we would find this rather strange; children who live with their parents are usually close to them. In addition, children were often used for financial gain through arranged marriages.

    Read More

  • Belief System In Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus

    1264 Words  | 3 Pages

    Strangely, regardless of the fact that Aaron immediately returns to behaving diabolically, it is noteworthy that out of all the parents in Titus Andronicus, Shakespeare portrays Aaron as the parent who sacrifices all for his child. Tamora believed herself to be wholly degraded after begging for Alarbus’ life, and she made no further sacrifices for her children. To Titus’ credit, he chopped off his hand in an effort to save two of his sons, but Aaron gave his life for the benefit of his child. Shakespeare skillfully salvages the noble family line, and the remaining Andronicus family members, mainly Lucius and his son, will continue as imperialists. Plainly, although Titus lost many sons in the war with the Goths, he did not despair over his losses.

    Read More

  • Julie Taymor’s Titus Andronicus

    2758 Words  | 6 Pages

    One of the distinguishing factors in portraying Titus centers in its origin: "Titus Andronicus [...] must be considered as an experimental play" (Bowers 118). Being Shakespeare's first attempt at tragedy, it obviously has room for error. Yet, as some critics and scholars would say, I believe there is a similar element found in all of Shakespeare's works, no matter when they were written: "Shakespeare constantly reminds us that the character's predicament and humanity is very like our own" (Barton 184). No matter what the plot is, or where he chose to set the story, Shakespeare captures a fundamental element of humanity. Within Titus Andronicus, it is undoubtedly humanity's search for revenge: "Titus Andronicus is a play of social piety, outrage, suffering, and revenge" (Barber 133). The first three elements that Barber attributes to the work are consequential to the fourth; it is the revenge and spite of Titus, Tamora, and Aaron that fuel the other three elements.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Chaim Potok's The Chosen

    768 Words  | 2 Pages

    Just because one father’s way of rearing up a child seems different from another’s does not necessarily mean it is wrong. In their own unique ways, all three fathers show the importance of fulfilling the role of a father. David Malter upholds the image of a gentle and wise man. His wife has passed away after giving birth to her son, Reuven. Mr. Malter raises his son as best as he can, and his bond with Reuven only grows stronger.

    Read More

  • A Comparison of Evil in Richard III, Titus, and Romeo and Juliet

    978 Words  | 2 Pages

    The audience never witnesses Aaron's supposed teachings however, nor is it likely that if he were to continue living as before that he would commit the acts he pledges himself to as he is to be hanged (Act V Scene I Lines 125-144). Aaron talks of evil and trickery, while Tamora lives its epitome, marrying herself into the queen-ship of the conquering tribe. When presented with his child Aaron does care for it, and only agrees to speak upon the condition that it shall be saved. This insight into his character makes him seem almost a worthier person than Titus who murders his own sons. The villain shows more care for his kin than the hero does for his. This serves to make Aaron a more realistic villain by making him more human.

    Read More

  • A Father's Phaethon: The Legend Of The Father

    1407 Words  | 3 Pages

    Morris Bishop’s poem has elaborately depicted a classical greek legend with a unique approach. The legend itself briefly describes the perishment of Phaethon, who insisted to ride his father, Apollo’s chariot although Apollo have discouraged him to do so. Likewise, the poem introduces a father who used the legend of Phaethon to deter his teenaged son from driving “the car”. By clearly implementing a sarcastic humour and tone through the impressive imagery, and the upbeat rhyme, rhythm, the poem addresses some of the key aspects of a parent’s attitude towards the child. Bishop suggests that in order to keep their child in their “wonted courses”, it is essential for parents to carry out the obligation to address their child’s sense of limit.

    Read More

  • Capulet's Treatment of Juliet in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

    837 Words  | 2 Pages

    They were more interested in the wealth and respectability of a husband than the daughter’s happiness. Their idea of a happy marriage would be that the woman would learn to love the husband. Is it very important for a modern audience, who wish to get a deeper understanding of Shakespeare’s scenes and characters, to understand the society of Romeo and Juliet. Otherwise, unwillingly, the audience may unfairly judge a character. They may see a character’s actions as unreasonable, as they would be considered in a modern society, when in fact they may have been perfectly reasonable in Shakespearean times.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Relationship Between Fences And Death Of A Salesman

    734 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the plays Fences by August Wilson and Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. These plays have that role of a father of a difficult task of having a good relationship with their sons; that ideal relationship of the father and son set rules. The father sets the rules and son has to obey them with respect. However is difficult to have a healthy relationship with your father. For the fact that a father has high expectation of his son. For example, “Death of a Salesman “and “Fences “both Willy and Troy are fathers that are having a hard time earning the respect from their son that they want, and trying to be a role model for their sons. Between, Death of a Salesman,” and fences,” both protagonist, Willy and Troy both depict the role

    Read More

  • Parent Child Relationships

    1785 Words  | 4 Pages

    “It is a wise father that knows his own child” stated by William Shakespeare, a poet, which suggests that a good parent must have a connection with their child. However, Shakespeare lacked parental affection, the plays that Shakespeare had written, never had a well established relationship between a parent and their child. However the correlation between a parent and child may vary in many occasions and factors such as a healthy/unhealthy relationship, a tempting desire for self success, and a change of heart. Therefore, through an analysis of Jeannette Wall’s The Glass Castle, William Shakespeare’s King Lear, Tennessee William’s The Glass Menagerie, and Martin Fan’s bond with His parents, it becomes clear that the establishments between a

    Read More

  • The Misunderstood Iago of Othello

    863 Words  | 2 Pages

    6.2 (1995): 145-158. JSTOR. Web. 20 March 2014. Shakespeare.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Atticus A Good Father In To Kill A Mockingbird

    832 Words  | 2 Pages

    Some may question the parenting style of others and that is just how humans work. They doubt the way others do things because it is not how they themselves would do it. Atticus Finch is a good father because he taught his children bravery through his self-control, he is determined to teach Jem and Scout the value of respecting people, no matter who they are, and he teaches his children that life involves making difficult decisions sometimes. Atticus is one of those people that everybody should look up to and want to be more like him because despite all the racism that happened and disrespect he got, he stood with his head held high and made sure his children did too.

    Read More

  • Father and Son in Death of a Salesman, and Fences

    962 Words  | 2 Pages

    The role of a father could be a difficult task when raising a son. The ideal relationship between father and son perhaps may be; the father sets the rules and the son obeys them respectfully. However it is quite difficult to balance a healthy relationship between father and son, because of what a father expects from his son. For instance in the narratives, “Death of a Salesman,” and “Fences” both Willy and Troy are fathers who have a difficult time in earning respect from their sons, and being a role model for them. Between, “Death of a Salesman,” and “Fences,” both protagonists, Willy and Troy both depict the role of a father in distinctive ways; however, in their struggle, Willy is the more sympathetic of the two.

    Read More

  • Honor in the Play Titus Andronicus

    834 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...f his honor. When Titus allows Aaron to cut off his hand, he is letting Aaron take away his honor. By the end of the play, Titus has nothing to show of the honor he once killed for.

    Read More

  • Parent Child Relationship in Greek Mythology

    1616 Words  | 4 Pages

    It is inferred that the parents should take care of their children and have their best interest at heart. This however, is not the case in Greek and Roman mythology. The killing of ones own children, or filicide, was not viewed as negative upon in their era. The contemporary times contrast with the ancient Greek and Roman’s because it was justified to use any means necessary to obtain a higher status. The Greeks and Romans valued keeping a high social reputation and having respect for those of great power. The motherly union between their children conflict with the reality that the father strives to retain or gain control. These circumstances cause a tense bond between the members of the family. The strained parent to child relationship in Greco-Roman myths is prevalent in the fact that the parents are fearful of being overtaken by their children, and endeavor to limit their upbringing.

    Read More

  • Father/Son Relationships in Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part One

    804 Words  | 2 Pages

    The relationship between a father and his son is an important theme in Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part One, as it relates to the two main characters of the play, Prince Hal and Hotspur. These two characters, considered as youths and future rulers to the reader, are exposed to father-figures whose actions will influence their actions in later years. Both characters have two such father-figures; Henry IV and Falstaff for Prince Hal, and the Earl of Northumberland and the Earl of Worcester for Hotspur. Both father-figures for Hal and Hotspur have obvious good and bad connotations in their influence on the character. For example, Falstaff, in his drinking and reveling, is clearly a poor influence for a future ruler such as Prince Hal, and Worcester, who shares Hotspur's temper, encourages Hotspur to make rash decisions. The entire plot of the play is based on which father-figure these characters choose to follow: had they chosen the other, the outcome would have been wholly different.

    Read More

More about How Is Titus Andronicus A Good Father

Open Document