Shakespeare’s tragedies Merlyn Mannov XI A

Titus Andronicus (the bloodiest) Romeo and Juliet ( one of the Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and his most frequently performed plays) Hamlet (one of his most frequently performed plays) Othello Macbeth (one of his most frequently performed plays) King Lear (the most tragic of Shakespeare’s tragedies) Antony and Cleopatra Timon of Athens (the least known of Shakespeare’s tragedy) Troilus and Cressida

“Heart” tragedies Love tragedies Involve a pair of lovers torn apart by fate and society The main characters are pawns pulled along toward death or permanent separation Romeo and Juliet Antony and Cleopatra Othello

“Head” tragedies Defined by their relationship to Greek philosopher Aristotle’s theories of dramatic tragedy They feature a fatally-flawed protagonist fully capable of free will who unfortunately has his good traits overcome by ego. Titus Andronicus Hamlet Macbeth King Lear Timon of Athens

The hero Not villain or saint but generally a good person destroyed by his own ego or fate Capable of both good and evil With opportunities for redemption, but never is able to take them in time, leading almost always to death.

Titus Andronicus Shakespeare’s earliest tragedy (written in the 1590s) The bloodiest of his tragedies

Titus General of Rome and tragic hero of the play Father of Lavinia and Lucius Has spent the last ten years fighting Rome's enemies and winning honor for his country Russell Roberts as Titus

Tamora Queen of the Goths Mother of Chiron and Demetrius Associated with barbarism, savagery, and unrestrained lasciviousness Encourages her sons to rape Titus’ daughter Lavinia

Aaron Tamora's Moorish lover Convinces Tamora’s remaining sons to rape and mutilate Titus’s daughter Lavinia When 2 of Titus’ sons were imprisoned Aaron told Tamora to tell Titus that if he would cut off his own hand she would set his sons free He was buried chest- deep and left to die of thirst and starvation

Lavinia The only daughter of Titus Andronicus Spurns Saturninus's offer to make her his empress because she is in love with Bassianus She is brutally raped and disfigured by Chiron and Demetrius

Marcus Andronicus Roman Tribune of the People Brother of Titus Andronicus Calm Marcus, Lavinia, Titus

Saturninus The eldest son of the late Emperor of Rome Titus successfully advocates for him to be the new emperor Chooses Tamora for his empress Saturninus and Tamora

Bassianus The younger brother of Saturninus He steals her away when Saturninus wants to make her his empress Murdered by Chiron and Demetrius

Lucius Titus's only surviving son Defends his sister, Lavinia, from their father after she runs away with Bassianus Tries to free his captive brothers Quintus and Martius, for which he is banished from Rome Moves from bloodthirsty youth to sober leader

Chiron and Demetrius Sons of Tamora Two Goth princes They murder Bassianus and then brutally rape and disfigure Lavinia Killed by Titus

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