Misogyny in Titus Andronicus
In the final scene each of the characters misfortunes is avenged in a particularly fascinating way. In particular, Empress Tamora's misconduct was avenged most violently. Perhaps it was because of the fact that she had no justification for the transgressions of her misspent life, but more likely because this devastation of a woman was not only expected but praised. The only innocent woman in the play, Lavinia, was punished as if her crimes were of the worst nature, when in fact her only crime was being a woman. Her genetic makeup ultimately decided her most unfortunate destiny. The reason that Shakespeare mocked women so enthusiastically is because women were inferior in his own lifestyle, and that was the mindset of the viewers of his plays. In any case, his play Titus Andronicus holds strong views about retribution of women and especially those in power.
Titus Andronicus ends climactically with the events that led up to it being resolved.
Titus Andronicus: Act II, Scene 3: Tamora's cruelt...
English: Illustration of Act 2, Scene 3 from Titus...
English: Ira Aldridge as Aaron in Shakespeare's Ti...But unlike other resolutions, Shakespeare's is tremendously violent and ruthless. Innocent Lavinia's life is essentially brought to an end when she is raped and dismembered. She was ordinary, with no faults, no felonies clouding her past, and with a sweet, selfless disposition. But unfortunately for her she was born a woman. Shakespeare saw Lavinia's character as a prime opportunity to derogate women in general. This would entertain, please, and captivate his audience since they too were misogynistic. She was stripped of the very thing that made her a woman when she was raped, and her voice as a potentially opinionated citizen was snatched from her as well. Her only identity that set her apart from extras in the play was her being one of the two women. When Tamora's two reckless sons felt that they needed to...