Titus Andronicus has it all: human sacrifice, murder, rape,
dismemberment, filicide, and cannibalism.
In the apparent anticlimax of the cannibal banquet scene,
cannibalism is the play’s central metaphor and it provides a mechanism that
victims and victors can demean/debase each other. In Titus, eating destroys,
but produces no sustenance or regeneration for either party like normal eating
is supposed to do. This is not the only play in which cannibalism exists and it
is interesting to note that it still exists in modern day movies and TV series.
Cannibalism for Titus is used as a medium to convey emotions of love and
revenge.
Tamora only has a few seconds of horror after being exposed
to her son’s whereabouts before being killed, and has no time for anguished
speech. Tamora is the first of many to die in this gruesome final scene, and by
having everyone in the scene who partook in the cannibalism killed, I feel that
Shakespeare does not view cannibalism as socially acceptable.
In comparison to Titus Andronicus is a modern day satire
episode of South Park. In “Scott Tenorman Must Die,” Cartman is tricked by an
older boy (Scott Tenorman) that buying pubic hair from him will make Cartman
reach puberty. When Cartman realizes that he has been tricked, he plots his
revenge on Scott. Cartman tries various methods to get his money back, but is
outwitted by Scott each time. Cartman eventually plans a chili cook-off,
Cartman plans an elaborate scheme similar to Tamora and Aaron’s that results in
the killing of Scott’s parents. Cartman then cooks Soctt’s parents in his chili
and serves it to Scott.
Episode link if you want to watch it:
I would argue that Tamora was better off being killed after
eating her children then to live with the memory and disgust like Scott has to
in South Park (though they are both fictional stories). Similar to Titus
Andonricus, Cartman also uses cannibalism to enact revenge, yet it differs
because it does not have as gruesome of an ending outside of the cannibalism.
If you are further interested: Pictures from theatrical
versions of Titus Andronicus.
Warning: Contains graphic images.
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