Situational Binaries in Titus Andronicus from the Perspective of Multiculturality

There are many occasions where William Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus reveals a situational binary of ‘identity’ and ‘alterity’. First, the play places the Romans as the self (identity) and Goths as the other (alterity) making this a case of national/ethnic and religious binary. Then, Lavinia’s rape and mutilation showcase the position of women in that era bringing the examples of gender binary. Later, Aaron, the ‘evil black moor’ is othered by the persons in power which brings the argument of racial binary. Thus, the play exhibits characters and situations who/which encounter/express situational binaries due to social class, and sexual orientational differences. Also, both Aaron's and Tamora's attempts at vengeance may be considered direct reactions to multicultural mistreatment practiced in the Roman civilization as well as in the Elizabethan period. Hence, this paper exposes the perverseness of the multicultural society pertinent in the play where the hierarchical binary with many of its dimensions is strongly visible. Therefore, drawing upon ‘multiculturality’, this paper positions the acute violence executed in the play as reactions produced by the very system rather than by any ‘inherently evil’ individuals. First, the paper discusses the theory of multiculturality describing its issues as a historical social reality. Then, the play is analyzed through the lens of multiculturality. Keywords: William Shakespeare, Titus Andronicus, Identity, alterity, multiculturality, race, gender