Comparing the power struggles in Shakespearean plays Sally Dukes College

Power struggles are a defining feature in many of William Shakespeare’s stories. Titus Andronicus, Richard III, and Julius Caesar are three prominent examples of such stories, each depicting a powerful protagonist and their conflicts with others intent on gaining influence. In each of these stories, the separation between good and evil is clear, but in Henry V, this distinction is less clear, which begs the question as to the purpose of the other stories’ characterization and the purpose of their clearer moralities.

The titular character in Titus Andronicus, though in possession of a great deal of influence, rarely makes use of his power. While others are engaged in a power-struggle between each other, Titus has no desire to become involved. Instead, he is shown to be a catalyst for much of the plot, as his lack of interest in maintaining his power causes others to seek to take it from him. However, one of the few motivations that trumps the power struggle is the need for revenge. This is the ultimate goal of Titus and Tamora. Though they both have different views on the power that they achieve, they each seek to use it in a similar manner, though Titus is shown to be justified, due to what Tamora’s sons do to Lavinia, and the...