'Titus Andronicus' is Shakespeare's most gratuitously violent play. We don't learn about it in school. The performance at the Globe in London is advertised with the slogan 'Brutality of the highest order'; during performances, first aiders are on-hand in case any of the audience faints. The film adaptation starring Anthony Hopkins (which I've just taken a break from watching) is rated 18: 'Contains strong sex and violence and sexual violence.'
Titus Andronicus returns home to Rome after fighting numerous campaigns against the Goths. Accompanying him are his prisoners: Tamora, Queen of the Goths, and her sons. On arrival in Rome, Titus sacrifices Tamora's eldest son to the Roman gods, and presents the rest of the prisoners to the new emperor, who decides to marry Tamora.
Tamora vows revenge against Titus. Brutality ensues. Titus vows revenge against Tamora. Nearly everyone dies.
In one of the play's most horrifying scenes, Tamora commands her sons to rape Lavinia, Titus' daughter:
"Remember, boys, I pour'd forth tears in vain, to save your brother from the sacrifice; but fierce Andronicus would not relent; therefore, away with her, and use her as you will, the worse to her, the better loved of me."
Lavinia begs for death: "Tis present death I beg... O, keep me from their worse than killing lust... Do this, and be a charitable murderer."
But Tamora doesn't give a shit: "So should I rob my sweet sons of their fee: No, let them satisfy their lust on thee."
'Titus Andronicus' is one of Shakespeare's least respected, least liked plays.
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