David Bruce

William Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus: A Retelling in Prose David Bruce

I would like to see my retellings of classic literature used in schools, so I give permission to the country of Finland (and all other countries) to buy one copy of this eBook and give copies to all students forever. I also give permission to the state of Texas (and all other states) to buy one copy of this eBook and give copies to all students forever. I also give permission to all teachers to buy one copy of this eBook and give copies to all students forever. Teachers need not actually teach my retellings. Teachers are welcome to give students copies of my eBook as background material. For example, if they are teaching Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey," teachers are welcome to give students copies of my "Virgil's 'Aeneid': A Retelling in Prose" and tell students, "Here's another ancient epic you may want to read in your spare time."This is an easy-to-read retelling in modern English. People who read this retelling first will find the original work of literature much easier to read and understand. Trigger Warning. TITUS ANDRONICUS is William Shakespeare's most violent play. Titus Andronicus has served Rome well, faithfully, and successfully as a general. He retires from war and returns to Rome just as the Roman Emperor dies. The Emperor's two sons, Saturninus and Bassianus, quarrel over the succession, and Titus Andronicus uses his influence to make sure that the older brother, Saturninus, becomes the next Emperor, which accords with precedent. Saturninus wants to marry Lavinia, Titus Andronicus' daughter, but she is already betrothed to Bassianus, and Saturninus instead marries a beautiful captive: Tamora, Queen of the Goths. Saturninus, Tamora, and Tamora's two surviving sons, as well as her lover, Aaron, become enemies to Titus Andronicus and do horrible things to him, his daughter, and his surviving sons. These horrible things include a gang rape, mutilations, and executions. Titus Andronicus and other surviving members of his family vow to get revenge in this tragedy.