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Title: Ephemeral Dominance: An Interplay of Power and Dispossession in Titus Andronicus
Authors: Rafia Kiran Zahid
Journal: Competitive Research Journal Archive (CRJA)
| Category | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Y | 2024-10-01 | 2025-12-31 |
Publisher: Education Research Associates
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2024
Volume: 2
Issue: 4
Language: English
The paper examines Titus Andronicus, a Roman historical tragedy by William Shakespeare (1594), from the perspective of power and dispossession. The play opens when Titus, the General of the Army and the protagonist, proudly makes the queen of Goths and her sons, war prisoners, stripping off the power they once had. The situation does not remain the same as the play progresses and this transitory possession of power turns into dispossession in no time. The play has significance in the list of revenge plays as it is full of targeted and untargeted killings, making it a tragedy full of blood. This paper takes into consideration the short-lived happiness of the characters that power has given them and then how the main characters in Titus Andronicus are eventually stripped of their authority and agency, drawing on Michel Foucault's idea that power is something that is practiced rather than owned. Shakespeare's handling of power exposes its ephemeral and fluid aspect, as it combines with dispossession in ways that undermine the characters' ephemeral domination. Regardless of whether the story takes place in a comedy or a tragedy, the tragedy emphasizes the transience of authority in Shakespearean theater, where changes in time and situation upend hierarchies and shatter certainties. In addition to highlighting the characters' active participation in their ultimate loss of control, this analysis aims to shed light on how Titus Andronicus represents the erratic and performative nature of power. This paper investigates that the Shakespearean tragedies provide important insights on the malleable nature of power and its role in determining human destiny by examining the relationship between power and dispossession.
To examine William Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus from the perspective of power and dispossession, analyzing how characters' transient possession of power leads to their eventual dispossession, drawing on Michel Foucault's theories.
Qualitative textual analysis of Titus Andronicus, using Michel Foucault's theory of power as a framework. The study analyzes pivotal moments depicting the ascent and decline of characters, narrative arcs, symbolism, and dialogue. It also incorporates secondary research on revenge plays, Shakespearean tragedy, and Foucauldian theory.
graph TD;
A["Textual Analysis of Titus Andronicus"] --> B["Apply Foucault's Theory of Power"];
B --> C["Identify Power Dynamics"];
C --> D["Analyze Possession and Dispossession"];
D --> E["Examine Character Arcs"];
E --> F["Formulate Conclusions on Ephemeral Dominance"];
The paper argues that power is not something owned but practiced, as suggested by Foucault. The play demonstrates how the pursuit of power, often driven by revenge, leads to a cycle of violence and dispossession. Characters like Titus and Tamora experience shifts in power, illustrating its instability. The analysis also touches upon themes of misogyny and patriarchy within the play's power dynamics.
Power in Titus Andronicus is ephemeral and fluid, often leading to dispossession. Characters' attempts to establish authority are undermined by the transient nature of power, resulting in their downfall. The play highlights the performative and erratic nature of power, where its exercise can lead to resistance and ultimately, loss of control.
Titus Andronicus illustrates the impermanence of authority and the unavoidable nature of dispossession. Foucault's concept of power as execution rather than ownership provides a critical lens for understanding the characters' fates. The play reaffirms Shakespeare's theme of impermanence, where human attempts at dominance are rendered pointless by the passage of time and fate.
- Titus Andronicus was written by William Shakespeare in 1594. (Confirmed by text)
- The play features themes of bloodshed, cannibalism, and amputation. (Confirmed by text)
- Michel Foucault's theory of power is central to the analysis. (Confirmed by text)
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