Blog post 8

 For the blog post, I am going to attempt a free write on some ideas I have for my Shakespeare seminar, seeing that it is the paper that I have the most trouble thinking of an idea for.  The Oxford English Dictionary defines reproduction as “the action or process of forming, creating or bringing into existence again; an instance of this”. Reproduction as an action or process to recreate something that existed before or to extend something, links the word to many of the character’s in Shakespeare plays, especially though who of nobility.  Though the word reproduction comes later than when Titus Andronicus was first written, it verb reproduce and produce -both having French roots- came either before or during the time the play was written. Reproduction or the ability to produce, control, destroy, or restrict progeny exists as an important them within Titus Andronicus and other plays that concern themselves with the aspect of nationhood or of a national identity and history. In addition, husbandry and its relationship to reproduction allows for an eco-critical analysis of his work as a contemplation of kings as husbandman in managing the state. With these two currents or themes, the kings or rulers of plays such as Titus Andronicus illustrates the attempts to manage a parcel of land, this case the nation, against the fears and possible progeny of the foreign or other. Saturninus, in this case shows the mismanagement of the states when balancing and attempting to distinguish what is the other while limiting the reproduction of those in opposition to him. I am not too sure if this is fully what I want to look at but this is a start for what I am going to work with which is reproduction and nation.

 The play begins with victory and the end of warfare. As the plays name sake, Titus Andronicus is the main the protagonist and one of the most virile characters in the play (the other virile characters that are also considered are Aaron and Tamora as they also have children). Marcus states Titus’ virility and his right to rule in conflict with Saturninus’ desire to rule and be the husbandmen of the state, when he addresses Saturninus

Princes, that strive by factions and by friends
Ambitiously for rule and empery,
Know that the people of Rome, for whom we stand
A special party, have, by common voice,
In election for the Roman empery,
Chosen Andronicus, surnamed Pius
For many good and great deserts to Rome:
A nobler man, a braver warrior,
Lives not this day within the city walls:
He by the senate is accit'd home
From weary wars against the barbarous Goths;
That, with his sons, a terror to our foes,
Hath yoked a nation strong, train'd up in arms.
Ten years are spent since first he undertook
This cause of Rome and chastised with arms
Our enemies' pride: five times he hath return'd
Bleeding to Rome, bearing his valiant sons
In coffins from the field;
And now at last, laden with horror's spoils,
Returns the good Andronicus to Rome,
Renowned Titus, flourishing in arms.
Let us entreat, by honour of his name,
Whom worthily you would have now succeed.
And in the Capitol and senate's right,
Whom you pretend to honour and adore,
That you withdraw you and abate your strength;
Dismiss your followers and, as suitors should,
Plead your deserts in peace and humbleness. (971 Shakespeare)

I apologize for the long quote. The first three lines of the quote illustrate a beginning conflict between how the sate wishes to view itself and how the husbandman wishes to control the state. Marcus addresses that princes “strive . . .  ambitiously for rule and empery” while the state wishes for a “common voice” of “election” for Titus Andronicus illustrates a conflict and challenge to monarchial rule or the ability for Saturninus to be a proper husbandman as he has not helped the state produce, but rather gives strife. In comparison, the imagery Marcus states of Titus, shows him literally watering the state or “bleeding to Rome” with victory and a distinction of the state of Rome from the other or in this case the “Goths”. In addition, Titus’ continual burying of his sons highlights his ability to reproduce and provide nourishment for the statement through his own progeny. This imagery coupled with Marcus pleading with Saturninus to “dismiss [his] followers demonstrates one of the challenges of the play, whether Kings or those who are appointed to be kings can truly manage the state when they have no virile attributes. At least this is one of the thoughts coming out of this free write. Also, I give credit to Bertram and Feerick in discussing about Husbandry.