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Overview of Titus Andronicus Play
Feb 3, 2025
Titus Andronicus: Entire Play - Notes
ACT I
SCENE I. Rome. Before the Capitol.
Saturninus
and
Bassianus
argue over succession to the Roman throne.
Saturninus claims right as the first-born son of the last emperor.
Bassianus appeals to the Romans for freedom in their choice.
Marcus Andronicus
, the tribune, declares that the people have chosen Titus Andronicus for the emperor's role, due to his valor and service.
Both Saturninus and Bassianus dismiss their followers to quietly vie for the throne.
Titus Andronicus
returns from the wars with the Goths, bringing the body of his son and prisoners, including the Goth queen Tamora.
Titus sacrifices Alarbus, Tamora's son, to appease the spirits of his fallen sons.
Saturninus is eventually elected emperor and offers to marry Lavinia, Titus's daughter.
However, Bassianus, Lavinia's betrothed, claims her, leading to conflict.
In the ensuing chaos, Titus kills his son Mutius, for aiding Bassianus.
The scene ends with Saturninus marrying Tamora, who promises vengeance for her sacrificed son.
ACT II
SCENE I. Rome. Before the Palace.
Aaron the Moor
, Tamora's lover, plots with her sons, Demetrius and Chiron, to attack Lavinia.
Scene transitions into a hunt led by Titus and the nobility.
SCENE II. A forest near Rome.
Aaron
buries gold in preparation for a plot.
Tamora's sons plot to rape Lavinia.
SCENE III. A lonely part of the forest.
Tamora lures Bassianus and Lavinia into a trap.
Her sons murder Bassianus and then rape Lavinia.
ACT III
SCENE I. Rome. A street.
Titus pleads for his sons Martius and Quintus, accused of Bassianus' murder.
Lucius, his remaining son, is banished for attempting to save them.
Lavinia, now mutilated, is returned to her family, leaving them in despair.
Titus cuts off his own hand as a ransom but is further betrayed.
ACT IV
SCENE I. Rome. Titus's garden.
Lavinia reveals the identity of her attackers by writing their names in the sand.
Titus and Marcus vow vengeance against Tamora's sons.
SCENE II. The same. A room in the palace.
Aaron reveals the truth about Bassianus' murder.
He plots to save his child born to Tamora, and kills the nurse to silence her.
ACT V
SCENE I. Plains near Rome.
Lucius leads the Goths against Rome.
Aaron is captured and reveals his misdeeds in exchange for his child's safety.
SCENE II. Rome. Before TITUS's house.
Tamora, disguised as Revenge, tries to manipulate Titus but is outmaneuvered.
SCENE III. Court of TITUS's house. A banquet set out.
Titus kills Tamora's sons and serves them to her in a pie.
He kills Tamora and is then killed by Saturninus, whom Lucius subsequently kills.
The play ends with Lucius being proclaimed Emperor.
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View note source
http://shakespeare.mit.edu/titus/full.html%20