Historical Context and Reception
When Shakespeare first wrote Titus, it was received incredibly well. Although not as pronounced in England as in other parts of Europe, the Renaissance was still an important influence. Renaissance (“rebirth”) art and architecture saw a return to Classical forms. Europeans romanticized the ancient Greeks and Romans. Books were increasingly being published and circulated, especially about Classical ideas and art forms. In this way, Shakespeare was able to write a fictional story about a Roman emperor and his woes. The reception of Titus was great because of the pre-existing perked interest in Roman society and culture.
During the Restoration, literature that was associated with the Monarchy became popular. Shakespeare saw a great revival during the Restoration. However, almost all productions were adapted and changed greatly to make it so that the plays forced some great moral lesson and so that good guys always won in the end. Ravencroft’s version of Titus placed the characters into their rightful social place and by the end of play order has been restored, like how the Stuart Family had restored order to England.
Similar to Restoration audiences, Victorian audiences also enjoyed extremely altered versions of Titus. Victorians were obsessed with outward morality and appearances. Although prostitution was rampant and pornography was first becoming popularized, Victorians still worked extremely hard to behave in a moral and dignified way. Titus became popular because it is impossible to destroy the sexual and violent undertones of the text. The Victorians responded to what Shakespeare had written, but were able to enjoy the drastically modified text.
Titus peaked again after the first World War. The original story was once again extremely relatable to audiences because the ideas of revenge, violence and the breakdown the political order. World War II left the world staggering. Plays such as Titus enabled audiences to see some of their darkest fantasies played out on stage, allowing for a cathartic theater experience. Since almost every character in Titus does get some sort of revenge, post-war audiences were able to watch the play and discover a sense of order.
During the Restoration, literature that was associated with the Monarchy became popular. Shakespeare saw a great revival during the Restoration. However, almost all productions were adapted and changed greatly to make it so that the plays forced some great moral lesson and so that good guys always won in the end. Ravencroft’s version of Titus placed the characters into their rightful social place and by the end of play order has been restored, like how the Stuart Family had restored order to England.
Similar to Restoration audiences, Victorian audiences also enjoyed extremely altered versions of Titus. Victorians were obsessed with outward morality and appearances. Although prostitution was rampant and pornography was first becoming popularized, Victorians still worked extremely hard to behave in a moral and dignified way. Titus became popular because it is impossible to destroy the sexual and violent undertones of the text. The Victorians responded to what Shakespeare had written, but were able to enjoy the drastically modified text.
Titus peaked again after the first World War. The original story was once again extremely relatable to audiences because the ideas of revenge, violence and the breakdown the political order. World War II left the world staggering. Plays such as Titus enabled audiences to see some of their darkest fantasies played out on stage, allowing for a cathartic theater experience. Since almost every character in Titus does get some sort of revenge, post-war audiences were able to watch the play and discover a sense of order.