‘This was thy daughter’: Re-discovering Lavinia's agency in Titus Andronicus

This article traces the development of Lavinia's agency throughout Titus Andronicus , both before and after her rape and mutilation. I argue that the trauma Lavinia endures pushes her out of her role as Titus’ daughter and forces her to negotiate for a subject position unrelated to the male figures in her life. By focusing on Lavinia's capacity for agency, including on her ability to tacitly approve the patriarchal Roman system prior to her rape, I demonstrate the intrinsic power Lavinia wields throughout the play, ultimately influencing the final revenge scenario of the play.