The Shakespeare Code

(It’s best to read The Introduction and Parts 1. and 2. first.)

EXHIBIT (6): Titus Andronicus.

Sir Laurence Olivier as Titus Andronicus

 The main source for Shakespeare’s play Titus Andronicus was a chapbook published only in Rome and only in Italian.

It was not till the eighteenth century (between 1736 and 1764) that The History of Titus Andronicus, the Renowned Roman General was ‘Newly translated’ (into English) ‘from the Italian Copy printed at Rome.’

So how did Shakespeare know the story?

The most likely explanation is that he picked up a copy of the book in Rome while he was there with Southampton and Nashe. (Shakespeare was studying Italian from Florio’s phrasebooks, and Southampton, groomed by the Vatican, spoke Italian like a native)

First production of 'Titus Andronicus'. At least one observer thought the costumes were better than the play...

Shakespeare turned the book  into a play which is first mentioned (as new) by the theatre manager Philip Henslowe at the end of January, 1594. The year after Shakespeare’s visit to Europe.