What do a Shakespeare character and a Halsey song have in common?

Thematically, Halsey’s “nightmare” and Aaron’s final speech run parallel. The two pieces echo the idea of returning bad treatment with worse. Both speakers heartily accept their own wrongdoings while wanting to continue acting in the same manner. 

Why is “kindness…weakness” or “complacen[ce],” to quote Halsey’s song? Why does “nothing grieve[] [Aaron] heartily indeed/ but that [he] cannot do ten thousand more” terrible actions? Both have been treated terribly by those with more social and/or political power. Aaron, as Black Moor in the Roman period, harassed and imprisoned by the Romans, and Halsey as a biracial woman in the modern music industry, objectified and harassed by men.

Halsey "keeps a record of the wreckage of [her] life," and just like Aaron, she never forgets the society and people in power who have harmed her. Aaron faces an institutional power balance in Rome for two reasons his skin color and his "barbarian status" as a non-Roman citizen. Halsey mentions one of the most common forms of sexual harassment, directly being told to smile during a catcall; she “won’t smile, but [she]’ll show you [her] teeth.” This line sets up her motivation and reaction, baring teeth a common sign of aggression. Meanwhile, Aaron aggressively plots the downfall of the entire Andronicus family as recompense for Titus Andronicus’ killing his lover’s eldest child and his general treatment towards the Moor.

Halsey and Aaron both actively choose to “be a real nightmare, completely aware” because the alternative is to allow the existing power structures to continue (Halsey).

Aaron says that he "curse[s] the day… wherein [he] did not some notorious ill." This diction is incased with negativity; "curse," "notorious," and "ill" all denote a bad action, reputation, or happening. Aaron, throughout his speech, lists out all of the ways he wishes he could have hurt more people; by digging up the dead, burning barns, raping women, or murdering. Halsey is less specific. She claims, "…kindness is weakness, or worse, you're complacent/ [she] could play nice or [she] could be a bully/ [she's] tired and angry, but somebody should be." But Halsey, like Aaron, actively chooses the path that hurts people. Aaron claims his only regret is that he cannot act with malice “ten thousand more” times. He plays into the idea that he is a “nightmare,” something to wicked to fear.

What is his alternative?

“Complacen[cy]” to the system that hurts him and his loved ones, to quote Halsey? Could he, could either of them, have enacted any change in the play without violence?

Aaron does not succeed in toppling the Andronicus family entirely, but the majority of the family is dead by the play’s conclusion. Aaron and Halsey both use the “weapon in [their] mind[s]” to enact revenge. Aaron’s near success does not come from mere luck or brute strength. He is one of the, if not the, most intelligent characters in the play. He utilizes his intellect to create the elaborate plan that kills two of Titus’ sons, gets his daughter raped and brutally maimed, and has Titus kill said daughter.

In other words, Aaron chooses to be a “nightmare,” that actively destroy’s people’s lives as a reaction to his hardships. He lashes out in an attempt at vengeance, and while he plans mostly work, the Romans still execute him. Yet, like Halsey, his intellect still manages to ensure his son will survive.