Aaron And Brutus: The Irony Of Violence
Throughout history, Rome has been a model of modern civilization. The concept of an orderly, civilized Roman polity contrasted by an anarchic, barbaric society of Goths has been popular, and was especially in Elizabethan England, considering that a basic education in classic culture was common. �Julius Caesar� takes place in 44 B.C., a time during which Rome conquered many lands. Even though its political accomplishment was evident, the city of Rome was not stable. Generals, after returning from war, grew more powerful, and the role of senators dwindled in the government. This was a threat to their republic form of government. In �Titus Andronicus,� which takes place after �Julius ...
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a mother avenges the death of her son. It begins with Titus returning to Rome after victoriously battling against the Goths. With him he brings Tamora and her three sons as political prisoners. He kills Tamora�s eldest son, offering him as a sacrifice to calm the spirits of his sons that were killed in battle. Even though Titus is originally encouraged to become emperor, he reserves this privilege for Saturninus, eldest son of the late emperor. Saturninus marries Tamora, and it is then that Tamora begins her plan to avenge the death of her eldest son, Alarbus.
At this point Aaron�s role becomes most effective. Of all the characters, Aaron is the most dramatically evolved. He is a great example of an ironic villain. He remains theatrically dormant until Tamora weds Saturninus. He then proudly joins the plot by saying to Demetrius and Chiron, both sons of Tamora: �Away with slavish weeds and servile thoughts! / I will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold / To wait upon ...
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washy thy / hands� (II.iv.1-7). Even when Titus first sees his handless daughter, the scene becomes extremely ironic. He tells her, �Speak, Lavinia, what accursed hand / Hath made thee handless�� (III.i.66,67). Firstly, the audience knows Lavinia cannot speak. Secondly, Titus asks �what accursed hand� is responsible for the crime made against her. This further adds to the play�s sense of ritual as the plot descends to chaos.
Demetrius and Chiron then frame two of Titus� sons for the murder. Titus, in order to spare his the life of his sons, has his hand chopped off. Even though Titus sacrifices his hand, Saturninus ends up killing both his sons.
Interestingly, Aaron began this ...
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"Aaron And Brutus: The Irony Of Violence." Essayworld.com. January 26, 2007. Accessed November 28, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Aaron-And-Brutus-The-Irony-Violence/59301.
"Aaron And Brutus: The Irony Of Violence." Essayworld.com. January 26, 2007. Accessed November 28, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Aaron-And-Brutus-The-Irony-Violence/59301.
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