The Absence of True Justice in Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus Jessica Harrell College

Many scholars and critics alike view Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, believed by many to be his first tragedy, as an emulation of the bloody, gory revenge plays that were prominent and popularized during the sixteenth century. The play’s plot is driven entirely by revenge; when one of the characters is wronged, he or she immediately turns towards revenge to obtain a solution, which continues cyclically throughout the entirety of the play. Sir Francis Bacon once called revenge, “a kind of wild justice;” however, it is not justice that the characters of Titus Andronicus seek. Justice provides balance, is achieved through logic, is neutral, and leads to closure. Revenge, on the other hand, provides injury, is achieved through emotion, is driven by egocentrism, and cyclically leads to more revenge. With these definitions in mind, revenge becomes the antithesis of justice, and, through close analysis of Tamora’s and Titus’ responses to tragedy, it becomes readily apparent that the characters of Titus Andronicus are ultimately seeking revenge, not “wild justice.”

Justice restores balance, whereas revenge is meant to cause pain and injury to others, whether it be physically or emotionally. Throughout the entirety of Titus Andronicus,...