Titus Andronicus

The vengeance and malice present in the entirety of the first two acts seems almost excessive. But the repetition of the perils of the 'hole' whether it be a hole in the ground or the 'female hole' does not seem as excessive, as its different uses through varying metaphors, language, and diction prove to be symbolic and works well in the play. 

Examples from act 2 scene 3 are as follows:

"this abhorred pit" 

"some loathsome pit" 

  "this unhallowed and bloodstained hole"

  "this fell devouring receptacle" 

  "this gaping hollow of the earth" 

My reaction in terms of sympathy to the characters as the play progressed in the opening scenes changed from me understanding of  pride in their men and their country, to a feeling of them having an unwarranted sense of audacity, and the thought that they were over stepping their boundaries. Pride and virtue, tradition and vengeance, all got tangled in a the mens pursuit of lust and anger.

The Romans being praised as civil and the Goths as barbarous seems like an inaccurate as their actions lead them to be portrayed otherwise. The importance of Honor is taken to far as Titus slays his own son, without doubt, for that sake of that virtue. That to me is more barbaric then civil.