Conversation Piece - Monday, December 8, 2008
"Oh, come not near me, sir; I shall defile you.
I am that of your blood was taken from you
For your better health. Look no more upon't
But cast it to the ground regardlessly;
Let the common sewer take it from distinction.
Beneath the stars, upon yon meteor
Ever hung my fate, 'mongst things corruptible;
I ne'er could pluck it from him. My loathing
Was prophet to the rest, bu ne'er believed;
Mine honor fell with him, and now my life."
(The Changeling V.iii.158-67)
I am that of your blood was taken from you
For your better health. Look no more upon't
But cast it to the ground regardlessly;
Let the common sewer take it from distinction.
Beneath the stars, upon yon meteor
Ever hung my fate, 'mongst things corruptible;
I ne'er could pluck it from him. My loathing
Was prophet to the rest, bu ne'er believed;
Mine honor fell with him, and now my life."
(The Changeling V.iii.158-67)
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Titus Never-resting
Perhaps just to differ from everyone else, I will take a poetic interpretation of this delivery by Titus. Titus Andronicus knows only a few things: Justice, Honor, and Dignity. When he sees Lavinia and himself in such a pitiful situation he resorts to an undying desire to avenge such wrongs. Perhaps it is madness, but one could say the same about Hamlet. The parallels are there, and Titus is looking for a way to sort through all of the politics and corruption to find justice for his family and himself. In the end, I agree with all of the prior points, that Titus is a neglectful father, that he is partly crazed, and the symbolism of speaking for someone particularly a woman. I'd like to think that Shakespeare is using this to set up the dramatic end and this quote specifically symbolizes Titus' conviction in pursuing the matter to the end. This desperation is a sign of his permanent bond to Rome and its principles. With Titus the hope of Rome rests. And only Rome can avenge Lavinia.
