Motivation in Titus Andronicus
May, 2017
Incomplete
For most of Titus Andronicus’ history, scholars have held the opinion that this play is so unlike typical Shakespearean plays that it was either an early effort or misattributed to the master playwright. This consensus has been recently modified in the later half of the twentieth century.
The motivation of the principle characteristics can be described as the worldview of the gentleman. Although the word “gentleman” is found only once in the play, it is significant that it references not only Titus, but describes him as being “wronged”.
From the play alone, we can conclude that country, family, and religious practices are the three spheres where gentlemen hold certain opinions touching upon, but not limited to, justice, honor, and loyalty.
We recall that the classical hero is considered to be a "warrior who lives and dies in the pursuit of honor".
LIST ALL EXAMPLES OF HONOR
SHOW HONOR IS SUBJECTIVE
Start with sacrifice of Alarbus. It is a religious offering. This begins the cause and effect for the entire play.
“Noble” is the first word of the play.
“Reason” cannot provide a hierarchy of values. Hence, the sacrifice of Alarbus is reasonable and unreasonable, depending on one's values. While most people may say that human sacrifice is wrong, this opinion is the result of the opinion that human life is precious or valuable. This opinion is the result of values, or presumptions, that are exterior to human life, not the product of reason.
Reason aids humanity in the design and construction of a cathedral. Reason cannot provide an answer to the question: “Should we build a cathedral?”.
Therefore, the Gentle Reader may conclude that people are reasonable, yet their poor choices or questionable behavior are not the result of reason, rather the lack of values, specifically, a hierarchy of values.
The values in Titus Andronicus are subjective, as demonstrated by various characters’ behavior regarding the death of Mutius. Titus understands Mutius’ actions as dishonorable, yet the remainder of the family understands Mutius’ behavior as honorable. Therefore, all the characters, including the Goths, have values.
A hierarchy of values can be created from subjective standards. However, a hierarchy based on subjective standards is never fixed; it is always fluid.
A hierarchy of values based on objective standards is not fixed once and for all time, but this hierarchy allows less fluidity, as things “important” and things “urgent” will move up or down the scale of values as circumstances dictate. We note that circumstances are external to the individual, while the hierarchy of values is internal. We may say that “wisdom” is the quality that determines if a thing or an action is always “unimportant”, or whether it is currently “important”, or currently “urgent”.
In Titus Andronicus, the safety of the city is important, however, with the threat of the Goths, the safety of the city becomes urgent, and accordingly, the safety of the city moves up on the hierarchy of values, hence war. The Gentle Researcher may conclude that religious observations, including sacrifices, are unimportant for certain hierarchical values.
The motivation of the principle characteristics can be described as the worldview of the gentleman. Although the word “gentleman” is found only once in the play, it is significant that it references not only Titus, but describes him as being “wronged”.
From the play alone, we can conclude that country, family, and religious practices are the three spheres where gentlemen hold certain opinions touching upon, but not limited to, justice, honor, and loyalty.
We recall that the classical hero is considered to be a "warrior who lives and dies in the pursuit of honor".
LIST ALL EXAMPLES OF HONOR
SHOW HONOR IS SUBJECTIVE
Start with sacrifice of Alarbus. It is a religious offering. This begins the cause and effect for the entire play.
“Noble” is the first word of the play.
“Reason” cannot provide a hierarchy of values. Hence, the sacrifice of Alarbus is reasonable and unreasonable, depending on one's values. While most people may say that human sacrifice is wrong, this opinion is the result of the opinion that human life is precious or valuable. This opinion is the result of values, or presumptions, that are exterior to human life, not the product of reason.
Reason aids humanity in the design and construction of a cathedral. Reason cannot provide an answer to the question: “Should we build a cathedral?”.
Therefore, the Gentle Reader may conclude that people are reasonable, yet their poor choices or questionable behavior are not the result of reason, rather the lack of values, specifically, a hierarchy of values.
The values in Titus Andronicus are subjective, as demonstrated by various characters’ behavior regarding the death of Mutius. Titus understands Mutius’ actions as dishonorable, yet the remainder of the family understands Mutius’ behavior as honorable. Therefore, all the characters, including the Goths, have values.
A hierarchy of values can be created from subjective standards. However, a hierarchy based on subjective standards is never fixed; it is always fluid.
A hierarchy of values based on objective standards is not fixed once and for all time, but this hierarchy allows less fluidity, as things “important” and things “urgent” will move up or down the scale of values as circumstances dictate. We note that circumstances are external to the individual, while the hierarchy of values is internal. We may say that “wisdom” is the quality that determines if a thing or an action is always “unimportant”, or whether it is currently “important”, or currently “urgent”.
In Titus Andronicus, the safety of the city is important, however, with the threat of the Goths, the safety of the city becomes urgent, and accordingly, the safety of the city moves up on the hierarchy of values, hence war. The Gentle Researcher may conclude that religious observations, including sacrifices, are unimportant for certain hierarchical values.