Titus Andronicus: Critical Essays

Originally published in 1995. In three parts - introduction, criticism and reviews - this volume examines the goriest of Shakespeare's works. The editor's exhaustive introduction runs through the pattern of changing scholarship and commentary, introducing the key interests in the play, from its authorship to its language, rhetoric and performance. Early commentaries focused on arguing about whether the play was truly Shakespeare's. A selection of the most important of these are included here followed by later investigations looking at myriad topics and characters - revenge, violence, race, Aaron, women, tragedy and Tamora. The large section of reviews of stage performances, arranged chronologically, ranges from 1857 to 1990. Two final pieces interestingly survey stage history of Titus in Japan and in Germany.

Philip C. Kolin is University Distinguished Professor in the College of Arts and Letters and Professor of English at The University of Southern Mississippi, USA. He is also editor of Southern Quarterly. Kolin has published 40 books and over 200 scholarly articles on Shakespeare, modern American and African American drama, and business writing.