An Interpretation of Titus Andronicus, Act III, Scene 1.

A close reading of TITUS ANDRONICUS Act 3 Scene1 Lines 1-22 Study Questions: How is this scene a pivotal moment in the play? What persona does Titus shed? What persona does Titus become? Why does Titus cry for these two sons sentenced to death? Why has Titus not cried for the other 22 sons killed on battle? Titus Andronicus is a study of the conflict between personal desire and duty to the state. Shakespeare establishes the character …

…had they just left his family alone. But his transition from general to father is a dark process and so produces a dark product. Betrayed and pursued Titus breaks down and feels hopeless. The hopelessness is necessary to get him to drop the mask of loyal roman general but, it stains the process and when Titus begins to hope, because the process was fouled with bitter emotions, hope spoils and turns into hope for revenge.