The Good Girl of Tragedy

Yushan Zhang

ENG201

04/24/2013

The Good Girl of Tragedy

In William Shakespeare’s play, Titus Andronicus, the daughter of the main character suffers as a result of her father’s actions. Lavinia, who is the only daughter among all Titus’ twenty-six children, is portrayed as an innocent character and she consistently show loyalty to her father, Titus. However, Titus commits a series of acts which eventually bring about his own downfall, as well as that of his daughter. The relationship shared between Lavinia and Titus is exclusive and devoted, yet rather than enjoy the closeness the daughter suffers because of it. Lavinia is raped and mutilated as part of Tamora’s revenge upon Titus. To complete the tragic scheme, Lavinia loses her life in an unsettling way that either directly or indirectly involves her father. Lavinia loses her virginity, becomes mute and mutilated because she is the daughter of Titus. Tamora harms Lavinia to make Titus understand how a parent feels when his child gets hurt. Yet Tamora does not kill Lavinia, Tamora makes Lavinia suffer physically also makes Titus suffers even more psychologically. Eventually Titus cannot stand this more, after he kills Chiron and Demetrius to avenge his daughter, Titus kills Lavinia himself. Titus does love Lavinia, but he does not love her in a father and daughter way, more importantly he loves her as a bargaining tool for social and political gains. Lavinia is treated as a property of Titus, and Titus does not treat her as a person but more like an extension of himself.

Andronicus is a noble Roman general who is intensely committed to his own principle, in fact that he appears stubborn. His inflexible manner alienates him from those he loves. He lost twenty-one sons in the war, and he comes back with very few remaining sons.Titus should tret the remainng sons as precious and protect them, but he does not. He directly kills Mutius, and because of his...