Violence in movies and television is at the center of a heated debate over the effects graphic images have on teens. When tragedies like the shootings at Columbine and more recently, Virginia Tech, occur, psychologists are quick to point the finger at the violence portrayed in Hollywood.
However, murder, rape and revenge were not created by the writers of Hollywood shows like "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit." William Shakespeare's bloody tragedy "Titus Andronicus" entertained audiences centuries before violent scenes of blood and gore ever became a hot button issue. The Shakespeare Theatre's production of the play even comes with a strong parental warning for children under the age of 18.
The play opens with the return of Titus to Rome after defeating the Goths in a massive war. He is well respected by the Romans and asked to be emperor. Instead, Titus chooses between the deceased emperor's sons. He chooses the elder son Saturninus to be emperor, a decision that eventually leads to his family's demise.
Saturninus takes Tamora, former Queen of the Goths, as his wife. She pledges revenge against Titus because he had her first-born son murdered. Tamora's new position, along with the evil scheming of her Moor servant and lover, Aaron, gives her the perfect opportunity to bring tragedy upon Titus and his entire family.
Like many Shakespearean tragedies, the majority of the cast is dead by the final monologue. However, unlike in "Hamlet," where the deaths are caused by poison, the deaths that occur in "Titus Andronicus" shock the audience with their graphic nature.
For example, Titus' only daughter, Lavinia, is raped by Tamora's sons. Afterwards, they cut off her hands and tongue so she is unable to identify them as her attackers. Lavinia's disfigurement is deeply disturbing to the audience, more terrifying than any scene in a modern Hollywood thriller.
Director Gale Edwards said the point of the play is not to display a horrific bloodbath, but to make the audience empathize with the characters and experience the violence taking place on stage. While directors and screenwriters in Hollywood produce gory horror films on the big screen for pure entertainment value, Shakespeare wrote a play about the lengths people go to in order to protect their honor.
Although Shakespeare's violent scenes may have been written with different intentions than those of today's screenwriters, his story still survives the test of time. The play has a thoroughly modern feel despite the ancient plot line.
The Roman politicians wore modern black suits, and Lavinia and Tamora wore modern dresses as well. Tamora's troublemaking sons were dressed to appear like modern day punk rockers, adding another element of modernity to the play. This was paired with modern technology, such as microphones and video cameras. There were also modern symbols, including a disco ball and lip-shaped couch that added to the contemporary feel of the play.
The plot line of the play is also enhanced by modern special effects. The scenes of death are actually bloody. The stubs that remain after Lavinia's hands are removed were extremely convincing. Edwards did not take an illusionary approach to the violence in the play, but chose instead to retain the integrity of the scenes. This decision made the play more relatable. Modern audiences can appreciate its explicit scenes much better than any artistic inference to blood and gore.
Everyone can find something to enjoy in this production of "Titus Andronicus."
Fans of horror films will be impressed and shocked by the graphic realities of the play while Shakespeare fans will be satisfied with the integrity of Shakespeare's original work.
