Titus Andronicus Working

Titus Andronicus Introduction
INTRODUCTIONFORSTUDENTS
ThisearlyworkbyShakespearebothmadehisnameandprovidedhim
withmaterialforhislaterplays.
InthefinaldaysoftheRomanEmpireitsgeneral,Titus,hasdefeated
theGoths,capturingtheirQueen,Tamora,andherthreesons.After
TitushastheeldestsonkilledTamoravowsrevenge,andhaving
gainedpoweroverTitusbymarryingthecorruptRomanEmperor,
Saturninus,getsitthroughherslaveandlover,theevilAaron.Aaron
engineerstherapeandmutilationofTitussdaughter,Lavinia,by
Tamorasremainingsons,thekillingofLaviniashusband,Bassianus
(theEmperorsbrother),theframingandexecutionoftwoofTituss
sonsforBassianussmurder,andforgoodmeasuretricksTitusinto
havinghishandcutoff.Understandablydrivenmadbyevents,Titus
wreakshisownterriblerevengeonTamoraandherchildren,whilehis
survivingsonLuciuspunishesAaronaftercapturingRomefrom
Saturninus.
TitusAndronicuswasapopularentryintheSixteenthCenturyrevenge
genre,andcanbethoughtofasaroughequivalentofamodern
horrorfilm,withplentyofblackhumouraswellasgore.Infact,it
seemsitwasthejointmostpopularplayformanyyears,butfor
centuriesafterwardsaudiencesreactedbadlytoitsoverthetop
violenceandbadtastecomedy.Itsonlyrecentlythataudienceshave
cometoappreciateitagain.
TounderstandhowitwasstagedinShakespearesday,takealookat
thecrudedrawingoftheSwanTheatrebelow(Tituswouldhavebeen
performedoriginallyattheRoseTheatre,buttherewouldnothave
beenagreatdealofdifference,andinanycasethisistheonlypicture
wevegotofatheatreofthetime).Asyoucansee,itsabitlikea
house,withtiersofseatsmakingacirclearoundit,andastageon
supportsprojectingoutwards.Thehouseitselfwascalledthetiring
house,andwaswherethedressingroomswere.Thepoorer
playgoers(thegroundlings)wouldhavestoodonthefloorbythe
stage(upto500ofthemintheRose),whiletherichestwouldhave
satonthehighestseats,whichwerecoveredbyaroof.Therewere
nocurtainsonstage,andlittleinthewayofscenery.Thatswhyso
muchisdescribedindetailinthedialogue.Costumes,howeverwere
elaborate(seethePeachamdrawingabovetheListofCharacters).
Noticethetwodoorsatthebackofthestage:thesewereusedfor
entrancesandexits(atonedoorattheotheretc.inthestage
directions)andabovetheseagallery(aloftoraboveinthestage
directions).Therewouldalsohavebeenadiscoveryspace(partof
thebackofthestagewhichcouldhavebeencurtainedoff)anda
trapdoor(servingpossiblyasthetombandthepitinthisplay).All
femalepartsinTituswouldhavebeenplayedbyboys,asitwas
thoughtimmoralforwomentoactonstage.
TheDeWittdrawingoftheSwanTheatre.
INTRODUCTIONFORTEACHERS
Thesewordsarerazors
Shakespeareplaysoftencausestrongreactionsinaudiences.Justas
Othellounofficiallyholdstherecordformembersofthepublic
jumpingonstagetryingtostoptheaction,soTitusAndronicusmust
holditforaudienceswalkingout,faintingandbeingtakenill.Evenin
themostrecentproductionsithashadthiseffect.OnShakespeares
audiencehabituallyusedtojudicialbrutalitytheplaysgory
violencemuststillhavemadeastrongimpression,andseemstohave
launchedthecareerofitsauthorperhapsasanovernightsensation.
Forsometwentyyears(realistically)itwasthejointmostpopularplay.
Astasteschanged,however,audiencesrejectedit,andafter1724it
disappearedforoveracentury,onlyreappearinginaradicallyaltered
forminVictoriantimes,vanishingagainbetween1857and1923.Now
thingshavecomefullcircle,andusedaswearetohorrorfilmsandthe
ideathatcomedyandtragedycanhaveaclosesymbioticrelationship,
thisunjustlyneglectedplayisbeingrediscovered.
Besidestheissueofthesubjectcontentthereistheissueoftheplays
language,whichlackstherealismoflaterShakespeareplays,though
perhapsnottotheextentthatpastcriticshaveclaimedthemore a
playisperformedthemoreitfindsmeaningfulinterpretation,thanks
tothedevelopingskillsofsuccessiveactorswithrepeatedmaterial,
butTitushasbeendeniedacontinuousstagehistory.Whileitistrue
thatthereisalotofrhetoricinTitus,thisoftenaddstothefeelingthat
theseareRomansspeaking,Romansclingingtotheircultureinthe
faceofanonslaughtofbarbarismabarbarism that has already
invadedtheirownsoulsandwhichisironicallyintensifiedbythe
constantliterarylanguageandreferences.Sometimesonegetsthe
impressionthatShakespeareisquestioningtheverynatureofthe
Renaissance.
Perhapsitisthisjuxtapositionofbarbarismandcivilizationwhich
makesTitusAndronicusmorerelevantthanever.Itissetina
materialisticage,blindedbyluxuryandinamoraldeclineofwhichitis
unaware.CulturalheritagecannotsavetheseRomansbecausetheirs
isthecultureofhardwiredrhetoricaltropesandlipservice
invocationsofthegods;infact,languageisoftenusedintheplayasa
barrieragainsttruefeelingorindeedtruthitself,asintheinfamous
discoveryofLaviniabyaMarcusunabletoengageemotionallywith
whathesees,remaininginhisownwayasmuteassheis.Thebase
passionsoftheGothswhichtranslatesoeasilyintoactions,brutally
cuttheGordianknotofritualizedandfossilizedtradition,andwhen
TitustranslatesSaturninussliteraryconsiderationsintotheirreallife
meaningbykillingLaviniahepointsthewayforwardtoaRomeno
longershackledbydeadwordsbutwillingtoembraceanalbeitbrutal
truthinaradicallynewregime.
InTitusAndronicuswecanseeShakespeareassimilatingand
transforminginfluencesfromthemoralityplay,fromMarlowe,from
otherrevengetragedies.ThefigureofRevengewhichpresidesover
theopeningofTheSpanishTragedybecomesaplotdeviceinwhich
TamorasfakeRevengeisoutsmartedbyTitus;Titussnodsto
Tamburlainehischariotedentrance,thekillingof hisownson, etc.
areanironiccounterpointtohistruecharacter;andAaron
compoundsVice,BarabasandIthamoreintoapersonalitywhichlures
theaudienceintoawebofevileachtimeheappears.
Moreimportantly,itsowstheseedsofmanylaterShakespeareplays.
WhoareOthelloandIago,ifnotAaronsplitbodyandspiritand
elaborated,withperhapsatouchofTitusssimplemanoutofhis
depthintheMoor?WheredoesGloucestergethistechniqueof
sharinghisevilplanswiththeaudience?Cleopatra(asLadyMacbeth)
wemightsayhasatouchofTamoraabouther,whiletheearlyLavinia,
perhaps,isaprecursortothesassierfemalecharactersofthecanon.
CoulditnotbethatinthisplayShakespearedevelopedthealternation
ofcourtandforestfoundinthecomedies,orinitsopeningtheissue
ofsuccessionwhichinformsthehistories?Hamletremindsusof
Titussfeignedmadness,whileLearrecallsbothhisactualmadness
andhisdoomedsenseofhonour.Thelistisfarfromcomplete,butit
isclearthatwithoutthefountainheadofTitusShakespeareslegacy
wouldhavebeenofaverydifferentform.
Thiseditionhasbeenpreparedforpracticalschooluse,andstage
directions,emendationsanddefinitionsareguidedbyconsiderations
ofstudentaccessibility.Uncommonemendationsorthosepeculiarto
itaremarkedwithanasteriskthus*.Editors,feelfreetoadopt!
Sketch(?1595)byHenryPeachamofanearlyproductionofTitusAndronicus.
LISTOFCHARACTERS
SATURNINUS RomanEmperorafterthefirstscene.
BASSIANUS Saturninussbrother,engagedtoLavinia.
TITUSANDRONICUSRomanGeneral.
MARCUS
TribuneofthePeople,Titussbrother.
LUCIUS
Titussson(theonewhosurvives).
QUINTUS
Titussson(oneoftwoframedformurder).
MARTIUS
Titussson(theotherframedformurder).
MUTIUS
Titussson(theoneTitushimselfkills).
LAVINIA
Titussdaughter.
YOUNGLUCIUS
LuciusssonandTitussgrandson.Hesachild.
PUBLIUS
Marcussson.
AEMILIUS
AnobleRoman.Perhapsasenator.
TAMORA
QueenoftheGoths.
ALARBUS
Tamorasson,whogetssacrificed.
DEMETRIUS
Tamorassecondson.
CHIRON
Tamorasyoungestson.
AARON
Moor,Tamoraslover.PronounceAiron.
ACaptain,Tribune,Messenger,andCLOWN(i.e.acountrybumpkin).
ANURSE,andablackchild(usuallyperformedbyadoll).
KinsmentoTitus(SEMPRONIUS,CAIUS,VALENTINE),Senators,
Tribunes,Officers,Soldiers(RomansandGoths),Attendants.
TheplayissetinRomeitselforthecountrysidearoundRome.
TheAmericanactor,IraAldridge,playedAaroninBritainbetween1850and1860,
inaheavilycensoredversionoftheplay.
ACT1SCENE1
Rome.InfrontoftheCapitol.
[InthislongsceneSaturninusandhisbrother
BassianuscompetetobethenextEmperorofRome.
TheRomangeneralTitusarrivesafterhaving
defeatedtheGoths.Hehasbroughtthebodiesof21
ofhissons,andtheyarelaidinthefamilytomb.He
hasalsocapturedTamora,theGothsQueenandher
threesons.Lucius,oneofTitussremainingfoursons,demandsthat
Tamorasproudestsonissacrificed,andTitussuggeststheeldest,
Alarbus.Tamorapleadsforhislife,butTituswontlisten,andthe
Gothsswearrevenge.Titus,asticklerfortradition,refusestobe
Emperorhimselfandinstead(foolishly)nominatestheunsuitable
Saturinus.AfterSaturninusasksforLavinia,Titussdaughter,ashis
partner(sheisinlovewithBassianus,hisbrother)thereisafamily
quarrelwhichresultsinanotherofTitusssons,Mutius,beingkilledby
hisfather.ThefickleSaturninusthendecideshewantstomarry
Tamora(1.1.318331),whichputsTitussfamilyinadangerousposition.
CLASSICALREFERENCES:
Ajax:GreekgeneralinTrojanWar;killedhimselfaftergoingmad
Capitol:(supposed)seatofRomanGovernment
Goths:abarbariantribe,enemiesofRome
Hymenaeus:godofmarriage
Jupiter:kingofthegods,patronoftheCapitol
Justice:inthisscenereferstoAstraea,goddessofjustice
Laertesson:Ulysses,whoaskedthatAjaxgotaproperburial
Pantheon:circulartemplededicatedtoallthegods
Phoebe:Diana,thegoddessofthemoon,huntingandchastity
Priam:KingofTroy,wholosttwicethenumberofsonsTitusdoes
Scythia:ancientregion,fullofbarbarians
Styx:riverboundingtheUnderworld
Titan:heregodofthesun(ratherthangiant)
Tribune:magistrate
POINTSOFINTEREST.ThenameofSaturninecomesfromthegodof
agriculture,Saturn.Peopleassociatedwiththisgodweresaidtohave
sulkyandcapricioustemperaments,asSaturninedoes.Notethat
Titus Andronicus 1.1
TamorasnamesuggestsbothMoorandamor(love)sheisAaronthe
Moorssecretlover.OrawasoneofJupitersmistresses.]
[Flourish;EntertheTribunesandSenatorsaloft.
Enter,below,SATURNINUSandhisFollowersfromonedoor,and
BASSIANUSandhisfollowersfromtheother,withdrumsand
colours.]
SATURNINUS
Noblepatricians,patronsofmyright,
[aristocrats, protectors]
Defendthejusticeofmycausewitharms;
And,countrymen,mylovingfollowers,
Pleadmysuccessivetitlewithyourswords:
Iamhisfirstbornsonthatwasthelast
ThatworetheimperialdiademofRome:
Thenletmyfather'shonoursliveinme,
Norwrongmineagewiththisindignity.
[my]
BASSIANUS
Romansfriends, followers,favourers ofmyright
IfeverBassianus,Caesar'sson,1.1.10
WeregraciousintheeyesofroyalRome,
KeepthenthispassagetotheCapitol;
Andsuffernotdishonourtoapproach
[dontallow]
Theimperialseat,tovirtueconsecrate,
[sacredvirtue]
Tojustice,continence,andnobility:
[selfcontrol]
Butletdesertinpureelectionshine;
[merit]
And,Romans,fightforfreedominyourchoice.
[EnterMARCUSANDRONICUSaloft,withthecrown.]
MARCUS
Princesthat strive by factionsand by friends
Ambitiouslyforruleandempery
[positionofemperor]
KnowthatthepeopleofRome,forwhomwestand1.1.20
Aspecialparty,havebycommonvoice,
InelectionfortheRomanempery
ChosenAndronicus,surnamdPius
[called]
FormanygoodandgreatdesertstoRome: [honourable actions]
Anoblerman,abraverwarrior,
Livesnotthisdaywithinthecitywalls.
Hebythesenateisaccitedhome
[summoned]
FromwearywarsagainstthebarbarousGoths;
Thatwithhissons,aterrortoourfoes,
Hathyokedanationstrong,trainedupinarms.1.1.30[conqueredapeople]
Tenyearsarespentsincefirstheundertook
ThiscauseofRome,andchastisdwitharms
[beatendown]
Ourenemies'pride.Fivetimeshehathreturned
BleedingtoRome,bearinghisvaliantsons
[brave]
Incoffinsfromthefield;andatthisday
TothemonumentoftheAndronici
*Doessacrificeofexpiation,
[religiouscleansing]
AndslaysthenoblestprisoneroftheGoths.
Andnowatlast,ladenwithhonour'sspoils,
ReturnsthegoodAndronicustoRome,1.1.40
[Famous]
RenowndTitus,flourishinginarms.
Letusentreatby honour of hisname
[ask]
Whomworthilyyouwouldhavenowsucceed,
AndintheCapitolandsenate'sright,
Whomyoupretendtohonourandadore
[claim]
Thatyouwithdrawyouandabateyourstrength.
[reduce]
Dismissyourfollowers,and,assuitorsshould,
Pleadyourdesertsinpeaceandhumbleness.
[merits]
SATURNINUS
Howfairthetribunespeakstocalmmythoughts!
BASSIANUS
MarcusAndronicus,soIdoaffy1.1.50
[havefaith]
Inthyuprightnessandintegrity,
AndsoIloveandhonourtheeandthine,
[youandyours]
ThynoblebrotherTitusandhissons,
Andhertowhommythoughtsarehumbledall,
GraciousLavinia,Rome'srichornament,
ThatIwillheredismissmylovingfriends;
Andtomyfortunesandthepeople'sfavour
Commitmycauseinbalancetobeweighed.
[Handover]
[ExeunttheFollowersofBASSIANUS]
SATURNINUS
Friends,thathavebeenthusforwardinmyright,
Ithankyouallandheredismissyouall;1.1.60
Andtotheloveandfavourofmycountry
Commitmyself,myperson,andthecause.
[ExeunttheFollowersofSATURNINUS]
Rome,beasjustandgraciousuntome
AsIamconfidentandkindtothee
Openthegates,tribunes,andletmein.
BASSIANUS
Tribunes,andme,apoorcompetitor.
[Flourish.Exeunt;SATURNINUSandBASSIANUSgoupintothe
Capitol]
[EnteraCaptain]
CAPTAIN
Romans,makeway.ThegoodAndronicus,
Patronofvirtue,Rome'sbestchampion,
Successfulinthebattlesthathefights,
Withhonourandwithfortuneisreturned1.1.70
Fromwherehecircumscribdwithhissword
[encompassed]
AndbroughttoyoketheenemiesofRome.
[Sounddrumsandtrumpets.EnterMARTIUSandMUTIUS;andthen
twoMenbearingacoffincoveredwithblack;thenLUCIUSand
QUINTUS.AfterthemTITUSANDRONICUS;andthenTAMORA,with
ALARBUS,DEMETRIUS,CHIRON,AARON,andothersasmanyasthey
canbe.Theysetdownthecoffin,andTITUSspeaks]
TITUS
Hail,Rome,victoriousinthymourningweeds!
[funeralclothes]
Lo,asthebarkthathathdischargedherfreight
[Look]
Returnswithpreciousladingtothebay
[cargo]
Fromwhenceatfirstsheweighedheranchorage,
[where]
ComethAndronicus,boundwithlaurelboughs,
Toresalutehiscountrywithhistears
TearsoftruejoyforhisreturntoRome.
ThougreatdefenderofthisCapitol,1.1.80
[i.e.Jupiter]
Standgracioustotheritesthatweintend!
Romans,offiveandtwentyvaliantsons,
HalfofthenumberthatKingPriamhad,
Beholdthepoorremains,aliveanddead!
ThesethatsurviveletRomerewardwithlove;
ThesethatIbringuntotheirlatesthome,
Withburialamongsttheirancestors;
HereGothshavegivenmeleavetosheathemysword.
Titus,unkind,andcarelessofthineown,1.1.90
Whysuffer'stthouthysons,unburiedyet,
TohoveronthedreadfulshoreofStyx?
Makewaytolaythembytheirbrethren.
[Theyopenthetomb (trapdoor in stage)]
Theregreetinsilence,asthedeadarewont,
[tendtodo]
Andsleepinpeace,slaininyourcountry'swars!
[apartment]
Osacredreceptacleofmyjoys,
Sweetcellofvirtueandnobility,
Howmanysonsofminehastthouinstore,
Thatthouwiltneverrendertomemore!
[givemeback]
LUCIUS
GiveustheproudestprisoneroftheGoths,
Thatwemayhewhislimbs,andonapile1.1.100
Admanesfratrumsacrificehisflesh
[tobrotherssouls]
Beforethisearthyprisonoftheirbones;
Thatsotheshadowsbenotunappeased,
[ghosts;satisfied]
Norwedisturbedwithprodigiesonearth.
[strangethings]
TITUS
Igivehimyou:thenoblestthatsurvives,
Theeldestsonofthisdistressdqueen.
TAMORA
Stay,Romanbrethren!Graciousconqueror,
VictoriousTitus,ruethetearsIshed,
[pity]
Amother'stearsinpassionforherson:
Andifthysonswereeverdeartothee,1.1.110
O,thinkmysontobeasdeartome!
SufficethnotthatwearebroughttoRome,
[Isntitenough]
Tobeautifythytriumphsandreturn,
CaptivetotheeandtothyRomanyoke;
Butmustmysonsbeslaughteredinthestreets
Forvaliantdoingsintheircountry'scause?
O,iftofightforkingandcommonweal
[people,nation]
Werepietyinthine,itisinthese.
[holiness]
Andronicus,stainnotthytombwithblood:
Wiltthoudrawnearthenatureofthegods?1.1.120
Drawnearthem,then,inbeingmerciful.
Sweetmercyisnobility'struebadge:
ThricenobleTitus,sparemyfirstbornson.
TITUS
Patientyourself,madam,andpardonme.
Thesearetheirbrethren,whomyourGothsbeheld
Aliveanddead;andfortheirbrethrenslain
Religiouslytheyaskasacrifice.
Tothisyoursonismarked;anddiehemust,
Toappeasetheirgroaningshadowsthataregone.
[ghosts]
LUCIUS
Awaywithhim,andmakeafirestraight!1.1.130
[straightaway]
Andwithourswords,uponapileofwood,
Let'shewhislimbstilltheybecleanconsumed!
[ExeuntLUCIUS,QUINTUS,MARTIUS,andMUTIUSwithALARBUS]
TAMORA
Ocruel,irreligiouspiety!
CHIRON
WaseverScythiahalfsobarbarous!
DEMETRIUS
OpposenotScythiatoambitiousRome.
[Don't compare]
Alarbusgoestorest,andwesurvive
TotrembleunderTitus'threateninglook.
Then,madam,standresolved:buthopewithal
TheselfsamegodsthatarmedtheQueenofTroy
Withopportunityofsharprevenge1.1.140
UpontheThraciantyrantinhistent,
MayfavourTamora,thequeenofGoths
WhenGothswereGothsandTamorawasqueen
Toquitthebloodywrongsuponherfoes.
[enemies]
[ReenterLUCIUS,QUINTUS,MARTIUS,andMUTIUS,withtheir
swordsbloody.]
LUCIUS
See,lordandfather,howwehaveperformed
OurRomanrites:Alarbus'limbsarelopped,
Andentrailsfeedthesacrificingfire,
Whosesmokelikeincensedothperfumethesky.
Remainethnaughtbuttointerourbrethren, [Itsonlylefttobury]
Andwithloud'larumswelcomethemtoRome.1.1.150
TITUS
Letitbeso,andletAndronicus
Makethishislatestfarewelltotheirsouls.
[Trumpetssoundedandthecoffinlaidinthetomb.]
Inpeaceandhonourrestyouhere,mysons;
Rome'sreadiestchampions,reposeyouhereinrest,
Securefromworldlychancesandmishaps!
Herelurksnotreason,herenoenvyswells,
Heregrownodamnedgrudges;herearenostorms,
Nonoise,butsilenceandeternalsleep:
[EnterLAVINIA]
Inpeaceandhonourrestyouhere,mysons!
LAVINIA
InpeaceandhonourliveLordTituslong1.1.160
Mynoblelordandfather,liveinfame!
Lo,atthistombmytributarytears
Irenderformybrethren'sobsequies,
[funeralrites]
AndatthyfeetIkneel,withtearsofjoy
ShedonthisearthforthyreturntoRome.
O,blessmeherewiththyvictorioushand,
WhosefortunesRome'sbestcitizensapplaud!
TITUS
KindRome,thathastthuslovinglyreserved
Thecordialofmineagetogladmyheart!
[healthdrink]
1.1.170
Lavinia,live,outlivethyfather'sdays,
Andfame'seternaldate,forvirtue'spraise!
[Laviniarises.EnteraboveMarcusAndronicus,Saturninus,Bassianus,
Tribunesandothers]
MARCUS
LongliveLordTitus,mybelovedbrother,
GracioustriumpherintheeyesofRome!
TITUS
Thanks,gentletribune,noblebrotherMarcus.
MARCUS
Andwelcome,nephews,fromsuccessfulwars,
Youthatsurviveandyouthatsleepinfame!
Fairlords,yourfortunesarealikeinall,
Thatinyourcountry'sservicedrewyourswords:
Butsafertriumphisthisfuneralpomp
ThathathaspiredtoSolon'shappiness1.1.180
[=death]
Andtriumphsoverchanceinhonour'sbed.
TitusAndronicus,thepeopleofRome,
Whosefriendinjusticethouhasteverbeen,
Sendtheebyme,theirtribuneandtheirtrust,
Thispalliamentofwhiteandspotlesshue;
[ceremonialrobe]
Andnametheeinelectionfortheempire
Withtheseourlatedeceasedemperor'ssons:
Becandidatusthen,andputiton,
[acandidate]
AndhelptosetaheadonheadlessRome.
TITUS
Abetterheadhergloriousbodyfits1.1.190
Thanhisthatshakesforageandfeebleness.
What,shouldIdonthisrobeandtroubleyou?
[puton]
Bechosenwithproclamationstoday,
Tomorrowyielduprule,resignmylife,
Andsetabroadnewbusinessforyouall?
[startup]
Rome,Ihavebeenthysoldierfortyyears,
Andledmycountry'sstrengthsuccessfully,
Andburiedoneandtwentyvaliantsons,
Knightedinfield,slainmanfullyinarms,
Inrightandserviceoftheirnoblecountry:1.1.200
Givemeastaffofhonourformineage,
Butnotasceptretocontroltheworld;
Uprightheheldit,lords,thathelditlast.
MARCUS
Titus,thoushaltobtainandasktheempery.
SATURNINUS
Proudandambitioustribune,canstthoutell?
TITUS
*Patience,worthyprince.
SATURNINUS
Romans,domeright!
Patricians,drawyourswords,andsheathethemnot
TillSaturninusbeRome'sEmperor!
Andronicus,wouldthouwereshippedtohell
Ratherthanrobmeofthepeople'shearts!1.1.210
LUCIUS
ProudSaturnine,interrupterofthegood
ThatnoblemindedTitusmeanstothee!
TITUS
Contentthee,prince:Iwillrestoretothee
Thepeople'shearts,andweanthemfromthemselves.
BASSIANUS
Andronicus,Idonotflatterthee,
Buthonourthee,andwilldotillIdie.
Myfactionifthoustrengthenwiththyfriends,
Iwillmostthankfulbe;andthankstomen
Ofnoblemindsishonourablemeed.
TITUS
PeopleofRome,andpeople'stribuneshere,1.1.220
Iaskyourvoicesandyoursuffrages:
WillyoubestowthemfriendlyonAndronicus?
TRIBUNES
TogratifythegoodAndronicus,
AndgratulatehissafereturntoRome,
Thepeoplewillacceptwhomheadmits.
TITUS
Tribunes,Ithankyou;andthissuitImake
Thatyoucreateyouremperor'seldestson,
LordSaturnine,whosevirtueswill,Ihope,
ReflectonRomeasTitan'sraysonearth,
Andripenjusticeinthiscommonweal.1.1.230
Then,ifyouwillelectbymyadvice,
Crownhim,andsay'LongliveourEmperor!'
MARCUS
Withvoicesandapplauseofeverysort,
Patriciansandplebeians,wecreate
LordSaturninusRome'sgreatemperor;
Andsay'LongliveourEmperorSaturnine!'
[Alongflourish.]
SATURNINUS
TitusAndronicus,forthyfavoursdone
Tousinourelectionthisday
Igivetheethanksinpartofthydeserts,
Andwillwithdeedsrequitethygentleness;1.1.240
10
[reward]
[votes]
[repay]
Andforanonset,Titus,toadvance
Thynameandhonourablefamily,
LaviniawillImakemyempress,
Rome'sroyalmistress,mistressofmyheart,
AndinthesacredPantheonherespouse:
Tellme,Andronicus,doththismotionpleasethee?
TITUS
Itdoth,myworthylord,andinthismatch
Iholdmehighlyhonouredofyourgrace;
AndhereinsightofRome,toSaturnine
Kingandcommanderofourcommonweal,1.1.250
[state]
Thewideworld'semperordoIconsecrate
[dedicate]
Mysword,mychariot,andmyprisoners,
PresentswellworthyRome'simperiouslord.
[imperial]
Receivethemthen,thetributethatIowe,
Minehonour'sensignshumbledatthyfeet.
[symbols]
SATURNINUS
Thanks,nobleTitus,fatherofmylife!
HowproudIamoftheeandofthygifts
Romeshallrecord;andwhenIdoforget
Theleastoftheseunspeakabledeserts
Romans!forgetyourfealtytome.1.1.260
[loyalty]
TITUS
[ToTAMORA]Now,madam,areyouprisonertoanemperor,
Tohimthatforyourhonourandyourstate
Willuseyounoblyandyourfollowers.
SATURNINUS
[Aside]Agoodlylady,trustme,ofthehue
[appearance]
ThatIwouldchoose,wereItochooseanew!
[ToTamora]
Clearup,fairqueen,thatcloudycountenance.
[face]
Thoughchanceofwarhathwroughtthischangeofcheer,[expression]
Thoucom'stnottobemadeascorninRome
[mocked]
Princelyshallbethyusageeveryway.
Restonmyword,andletnotdiscontent1.1.270
[he who]
Dauntallyourhopes.Madam,hecomfortsyou
11
CanmakeyougreaterthantheQueenofGoths.
[ToLavinia]
Lavinia,youarenotdispleasedwiththis?
LAVINIA
NotI,mylord,sithtruenobility
[since]
Warrantsthesewordsinprincelycourtesy.
SATURNINUS
Thanks,sweetLavinia.Romans,letusgo:
Ransomlessherewesetourprisonersfree.
Proclaimourhonours,lords,withtrumpanddrum.
[Flourish.SATURNINUScourtsTAMORAindumbshow.]
BASSIANUS
LordTitus,byyourleave,thismaidismine.
[SeizingLAVINIA]
TITUS
How,sir!Areyouinearnestthen,mylord?1.1.280
BASSIANUS
Ay,nobleTitus;andresolvedwithal
Todomyselfthisreasonandthisright.
MARCUS
SuumcuiqueisourRomanjustice:
[Eachtohisown]
Thisprinceinjusticeseizethbuthisown.
LUCIUS
Andthathewillandshall,ifLuciuslive.
TITUS
Traitors,avaunt!Whereistheemperor'sguard?
[goaway]
Treason,mylordLaviniais surprised!
SATURNINUS
Surprised!Bywhom?
12
BASSIANUS
Byhimthatjustlymay
Bearhisbetrothedfromalltheworldaway.
[ExeuntBASSIANUSandMARCUSwithLAVINIA]
MUTIUS
Brothers,helptoconveyherhenceaway,1.1.290
AndwithmyswordI'llkeepthisdoorsafe.
[ExeuntLUCIUS,QUINTUS,andMARTIUS.]
TITUS
Follow,mylord,andI'llsoonbringherback.
MUTIUS
Mylord,youpassnothere.
TITUS
What,villainboy!
Barr'stmemywayinRome?
[StabbingMUTIUS]
MUTIUS
Help,Lucius,help!
[Dies.]
[ReenterLUCIUS]
LUCIUS
Mylord,youareunjust;andmorethanso:
Inwrongfulquarrelyouhaveslainyourson.
TITUS
Northounorheareanysonsofmine;
Mysonswouldneversodishonourme.
Traitor,restoreLaviniatotheEmperor.
13
LUCIUS
Dead,ifyouwill;butnottobehiswife,1.1.300
Thatisanother'slawfulpromisedlove.
[Exit.]
SATURNINUS
No,Titus,no;theemperorneedshernot,
Norher,northee,noranyofthystock:
I'lltrustbyleisurehimthatmocksmeonce;
Theenever,northytraitoroushaughtysons,
Confederatesallthustodishonourme.
WastherenoneelseinRometomakeastale
ButSaturnine?Fullwell,Andronicus,
Agreethesedeedswiththatproudbragofthine
Thatsaid'stIbeggedtheempireatthyhands.1.1.310
TITUS
Omonstrous!Whatreproachfulwordsarethese?
SATURNINUS
Butgothyways;go,givethatchangingpiece
Tohimthatflourishedforherwithhissword;
Avaliantsoninlawthoushaltenjoy;
Onefittobandywiththylawlesssons,
ToruffleinthecommonwealthofRome.
TITUS
Thesewordsarerazorstomywoundedheart.
SATURNINUS
Andtherefore,lovelyTamora,QueenofGoths
That,likethestatelyPhoebe'mongstherNymphs,
DostovershinethegallantstdamesofRome1.1.320
Ifthoubepleasedwiththismysuddenchoice,
Behold,Ichoosethee,Tamora,formybride
AndwillcreatetheeempressofRome.
Speak,QueenofGoths,dostthouapplaudmychoice?
AndhereIswearbyalltheRomangods
14
Sithpriestandholywateraresonear,
Andtapersburnsobright,andeverything
InreadinessforHymenaeusstand
IwillnotresalutethestreetsofRome,
Orclimbmypalace,tillfromforththisplace1.1.330
Ileadespousedmybridealongwithme.
TAMORA
AndhereinsightofheaventoRomeIswear,
IfSaturnineadvancetheQueenofGoths,
Shewillahandmaidbetohisdesires,
Alovingnurse,amothertohisyouth.
SATURNINUS
Ascend,fairqueen,Pantheon.Lords,accompany
Yournobleemperorandhislovelybride,
SentbytheheavensforPrinceSaturnine,
Whosewisdomhathherfortuneconquered:
Thereshallweconsummateourspousalrites.1.1.340
[ExeuntSATURNINUSandhisFollowers;TAMORAandherSons;
AARONandGoths.]
TITUS
Iamnotbidtowaituponthisbride.
[invited to accompany]
Titus,whenwertthouwonttowalkalone,
[youlikedto]
Dishonouredthus,andchallengedofwrongs?
[ReenterMARCUS,LUCIUS,QUINTUS,andMARTIUS.]
MARCUS
OTitus,see,O,seewhatthouhastdone!
Inabadquarrelslainavirtuousson.
TITUS
No,foolishtribune,no.Nosonofmine,
Northou,northese,confederatesinthedeed
Thathathdishonouredallourfamily
Unworthybrotherandunworthysons!
15
LUCIUS
Butletusgivehimburial,asbecomes:1.1.350
GiveMutiusburialwithourbrethren.
TITUS
Traitors,away!Herestsnotinthistomb.
Thismonumentfivehundredyearshathstood,
WhichIhavesumptuouslyreedified:
HerenonebutsoldiersandRome'sservitors
Reposeinfame,nonebaselyslaininbrawls.
Buryhimwhereyoucan,hecomesnothere.
MARCUS
Mylord,thisisimpietyinyou:
MynephewMutius'deedsdopleadforhim;
Hemustbeburiedwithhisbrethren.1.1.360
MARTIUS
Andshall,orhimwewillaccompany.
TITUS
Andshall!Whatvillainwasitspakethatword?
QUINTUS
Hethatwouldvouchitinanyplacebuthere.
[maintain]
TITUS
What,wouldyouburyhiminmydespite?
[indefianceofme]
MARCUS
No,nobleTitus;butentreatofthee
[begyou]
TopardonMutius,andtoburyhim.
TITUS
Marcus,eventhouhaststruckuponmycrest,
Andwiththeseboysminehonourthouhastwounded,
MyfoesIdoreputeyoueveryone.
Sotroublemenomore,butgetyougone.1.1.370
16
MARTIUS
Heisnotwithhimself;letuswithdraw.
QUINTUS
NotI,tillMutius'bonesbeburied.
[MARCUS.LUCIUS,QUINTUSandMARTIUSkneel]
MARCUS
Brother,forinthatnamedothnatureplead
QUINTUS
Father,andinthatnamedothnaturespeak
TITUS
Speakthounomore,ifalltherestwillspeed.
MARCUS
RenownedTitus,morethanhalfmysoul
LUCIUS
Dearfather,soulandsubstanceofusall
MARCUS
SufferthybrotherMarcustointer
Hisnoblenephewhereinvirtue'snest,
ThatdiedinhonourandLavinia'scause.1.1.380
ThouartaRomanbenotbarbarous.
TheGreeksuponadvicedidburyAjax,
Thatslewhimself,andwiseLaertes'son
Didgraciouslypleadforhisfunerals.
LetnotyoungMutius,then,thatwasthyjoy,
Bebarredhisentrancehere.
TITUS
Rise,Marcus,rise:
Thedismallstdayisthisthate'erIsaw,
TobedishonouredbymysonsinRome!
Well,buryhim,andburymethenext.
17
[bury]
[TheyputMUTIUSintothetomb]
LUCIUS
Thereliethybones,sweetMutius,withthyfriends,1.1.390
Tillwewithtrophiesdoadornthytomb.
ALL
[Kneeling]NomanshedtearsfornobleMutius:
Helivesinfamethatdiedinvirtue'scause.
[AllbutMarcusandTitusstandaside]
MARCUS
Mylordtostepoutofthesedrearydumps
HowcomesitthatthesubtleQueenofGoths
IsofasuddenthusadvancedinRome?
TITUS
Iknownot,Marcus,butIknowitis
Whetherbydeviceorno,theheavenscantell.
Isshenot,then,beholdingtotheman
Thatbroughtherforthishighgoodturnsofar?1.1.400
MARCUS
Yes,andwillnoblyhimremunerate.
[payhimback]
[Flourish.Reenter,atonedoor,SATURNINUS,attended;TAMORA
DEMETRIUS,CHIRON,andAARON;attheother,BASSIANUS,LAVINIA
andothers.]
SATURNINUS
So,Bassianus,youhaveplayedyourprize:
Godgiveyoujoy,sir,ofyourgallantbride!
BASSIANUS
Andyouofyours,mylord!Isaynomore,
Norwishnoless;andsoItakemyleave.
SATURNINUS
Traitor,ifRomehavelaworwehavepower,
18
Thouandthyfactionshallrepentthisrape.
BASSIANUS
Rape,callyouit,mylord,toseizemyown,
Mytruebetrothedlove,andnowmywife?
ButletthelawsofRomedetermineall;1.1.410
MeanwhileamIpossessedofthatismine.
SATURNINUS
'Tisgood,sir.Youareveryshortwithus;
Butifwelivewe'llbeassharpwithyou.
BASSIANUS
Mylord,whatIhavedone,asbestImay,
AnswerImust,andshalldowithmylife.
OnlythusmuchIgiveyourgracetoknow,
ByallthedutiesthatIowetoRome,
Thisnoblegentleman,LordTitushere,
Isinopinionandinhonourwronged,
That,intherescueofLavinia,1.1.420
Withhisownhanddidslayhisyoungestson,
Inzealtoyou,andhighlymovedtowrath
Tobecontrolledinthathefranklygave:
Receivehimthentofavour,Saturnine,
Thathathexpressedhimselfinallhisdeeds
AfatherandafriendtotheeandRome.
TITUS
PrinceBassianus,leavetopleadmydeeds:
'Tisthouandthosethathavedishonouredme.
Romeandtherighteousheavensbemyjudge
HowIhavelovedandhonouredSaturnine!1.1.430
TAMORA
Myworthylord,ifeverTamora
Weregraciousinthoseprincelyeyesofthine,
Thenhearmespeakindifferentlyforall;
Andatmysuit,sweet,pardonwhatispast.
19
[kidnap]
SATURNINUS
What,madam!bedishonouredopenly,
Andbaselyputitupwithoutrevenge?
TAMORA
Notso,mylord;thegodsofRomeforfend
[prevent]
Ishouldbeauthortodishonouryou!
ButonminehonourdareIundertake
ForgoodLordTitus'innocenceinall,1.1.440
Whosefurynotdissembledspeakshisgriefs:
[hidden]
Thenatmysuitlookgraciouslyonhim;
Losenotsonobleafriendonvainsuppose,
Norwithsourlooksafflicthisgentleheart.
[AsidetoSAT.]Mylord,beruledbyme,bewonatlast.
Dissembleallyourgriefsanddiscontents
[Hide]
Youarebutnewlyplantedinyourthrone.
Lestthenthepeople,andpatricianstoo,
UponajustsurveytakeTitus'part,
Andsosupplantyouforingratitude1.1.450
WhichRomereputestobeaheinoussin
Yieldatentreats,andthenletmealone.
I'llfindadaytomassacrethemall,
Andrazetheirfactionandtheirfamily,
Thecruelfatherandhistraitoroussons,
TowhomIsuedformydearson'slife;
Andmakethemknowwhat'tistoletaqueen
Kneelinthestreetsandbegforgraceinvain.
Come,come,sweetemperor[ToTITUS]Come,Andronicus
[ToSAT.]Takeupthisgoodoldman,andcheertheheart1.1.460 [Bidrise]
Thatdiesintempestofthyangryfrown.
[the storm]
SATURNINUS
Rise,Titus,risemyempresshathprevailed.
TITUS
Ithankyourmajestyandher,mylord:
Thesewords,theselooks,infusenewlifeinme.
20
TAMORA
Titus,IamincorporateinRome,
[have residency in]

ARomannowadoptedhappily,
Andmustadvisetheemperorforhisgood.
Thisdayallquarrelsdie,Andronicus,
Andletitbeminehonour,goodmylord,
ThatIhavereconciledyourfriendsandyou.1.1.470
Foryou,PrinceBassianus,Ihavepassed
Mywordandpromisetotheemperor
Thatyouwillbemoremildandtractable.
[easytogovern]
Andfearnot,lordsandyou,Lavinia
Bymyadvice,allhumbledonyourknees,
Youshallaskpardonofhismajesty.
LUCIUS
Wedo;andvowtoheavenandtohishighness
Thatwhatwedidwasmildlyaswemight,
Tenderingoursister'shonourandourown.
MARCUS
ThatonminehonourheredoIprotest.1.1.480
SATURNINUS
Away,andtalknottroubleusnomore.
TAMORA
Nay,nay,sweetemperor,wemustallbefriends.
Thetribuneandhisnephewskneelforgrace:
Iwillnotbedenied.Sweetheart,lookback.
SATURNINUS
Marcus,forthysake,andthybrother'shere,
AndatmylovelyTamora'sentreats,
Idoremittheseyoungmen'sheinousfaults.
[Titusssonsstandup]
Lavinia,thoughyouleftmelikeachurl,
[asifIwasapeasant]
1.1.490
Ifoundafriend;andsureasdeathIswore
21
Iwouldnotpartabachelorfromthepriest.
Come,iftheemperor'scourtcanfeasttwobrides,
Youaremyguest,Lavinia,andyourfriends.
Thisdayshallbealoveday,TAMORA
TITUS
Tomorrow,anitpleaseyourmajesty
[if]
Tohuntthepantherandthehartwithme,
Withhornandhoundwe'llgiveyourgracebonjour. [goodmorning]
SATURNINUS
Beitso,Titus,andgramercytoo.
[thanksalot]
[Exeunt]
[Soendsthefirstsceneandwithitthefirstact.Shakespearehimself
didnotputintheactandscenedivisions,atleastnotinthisplaythat
wasdonebylatereditors,startingwithhisfriends,whoproducedthe
1623collectedworks(theFirstFolio)afterhisdeath.]
22
ACT2SCENE1
Rome.Beforethepalace.
[Itsnotclearifthesuddenlyimportantcharacter
ofAaroncomesonhere,or,ironicallyforgotten
about,simplystaysonattheendoftheprevious
scenewhileeveryoneelsewalksoff.Thisdifficult
soliloquycouldevenbethefinalspeechofAct1.
Toaddtotheconfusion,someeditorsdontend
thefirstactwhichisreallyjustthefirstscene
untilthestartofAct2Scene2.Istopitherefor
thesakeofgivingtheaudienceabreak.However
itsdivided,thisapparentlylowlyslaveisnowby
himselfandcanspeakhisthoughtstotheaudience,abouthowglad
heisthatTamorahasmarriedtheEmperorbutthatshesreally
Aaronsslave,beinginlovewithhim,ratherthantheotherwayround.
WhenAaronsfinishedspeakingTamorassonscomeonstage,
fightingoverLavinia.Aaronintervenes,tellingthemthatiftheymake
aplayforBassianussfiancetheylldisgracetheirmother,spoilthings
fortheGothpartyatcourt,andmaybeendupdead.Heputsforward
abetteridea:thebrothersrapeLaviniainthewoodsduringthe
ceremonialhuntthenextday.
HouseofFameAplaceofrumour,orgossip.
LucreceLucretiawasavirtuousmarriedwomanwhowasrapedbya
sonoftheRomankingTarquinandafterwardskilledherself.This
resultedinTarquinbeingdeposedandarepublicdeclared.Avery
popularstoryamongtheElizabethans,itismentionedmanytimesin
Shakespeare,whowroteapoeticalversionofithimself.
OlympusMountainhomeoftheGreekgods.
PrometheusHestolefirefromthegodstogivetohumanity,andwas
punishedbybeingchainedtotheCaucasusmountainswherehisliver
wasforeverbeingeatenbyeagles.
NymphOneofmanyminorsupernaturalbeingswhotooktheform
ofyoungwomen;toseeonenakedwouldsendmenmad.
SemiramisBeautiful,powerfulbutdangerousAssyrianqueenwho
tendedtodestroyherlovers.
SirenAseanymph,likeamermaid.Sailorsweresobewitchedbythe
sirenssongsthattheypinedtodeath,untilUlyssesdefeatedthem.
29
VulcanSonofthegodoffire,Vulcanwastheblacksmithofthegods.
Uglyanddeformed,hiswifeVenuscheatedonhimwithMars,andhis
badgewascuckoldshorns.
POINTSOFINTEREST.WhatsthedifferencebetweenChironand
Demetrius?Demetriusistheolderonewhoperhapssoundswiseto
modernaudiences,buthesmostlyquotingplatitudes(clichsayings)
whichwouldhavetippedoffanElizabethanaudiencethathewas
nonetoobright.Examplesinclude2.1.838.Despitehisreferenceto
Senecaattheendofthesceneheisnomoreablethanhisbrotherto
understandTitussbarbedquotationfromHoracesentwithYoung
Lucius(see4.2.379).InanycasetheSenecaquotationiswrong,with
DemetriussayingtheequivalentofIaminhell,anironicreference
tohisfateintheplay.
Notealsohowhuntingvocabularybeginstobeusedinasexualsense
inthisscene,e.g.lines2.1.948.]
[EnterAARON]
AARON
NowclimbethTamoraOlympus'top,
Safeoutoffortune'sshot,andsitsaloft,
[ontop]
Secureofthunder'scrackorlightning'sflash,
[Safefrom]
Advancedabovepaleenvy'sthreateningreach.
Aswhenthegoldensunsalutesthemorn,
And,havinggilttheoceanwithhisbeams,
[madegolden]
Gallopsthezodiacinhisglisteningcoach,
[i.e.throughit]
Andoverlooksthehighestpeeringhill
SoTamora.
Uponherwitdothearthlyhonourwait,2.1.10
Andvirtuestoopsandtremblesatherfrown.
Then,Aaron,armthyheartandfitthythoughts
Tomountaloftwiththyimperialmistress,
Andmountherpitch,whomthouintriumphlong[flyhighaspossible]
Hastprisonerheld,fetteredinamorouschains,
AndfasterboundtoAaron'scharmingeyes
[hypnotic]
ThanisPrometheustiedtoCaucasus.
Awaywithslavishweedsandservilethoughts!
[slavesclothes]
Iwillbebright,andshineinpearlandgold,
Towaituponthisnewmadeempress.2.1.20
Towait,saidI?Towantonwiththisqueen,
1
Thisgoddess,thisSemiramis,thisnymph,
Thissiren,thatwillcharmRome'sSaturnine,
[bewitch]
Andseehisshipwreckandhiscommonweal's.
Holla!Whatstormisthis?
[EnterDEMETRIUSandCHIRONbraving]
[givingaggro]
DEMETRIUS
Chiron,thyyearswantswit,thywitwantsedge
Andmanners,tointrudewhereIamgraced; [buttin;doingwell]
Andmay,foraughtthouknow'st,affectedbe.
CHIRON
Demetrius,thoudostoverweeninall;
[youthinkyouresmart]
2.1.30
Andsointhis,tobearmedownwithbraves.
[trytofacemedown]
'Tisnotthedifferenceofayearortwo
Makesmelessgraciousortheemorefortunate:
[attractive]
Iamasableandasfitasthou
Toserveandtodeservemymistress'grace,
[favour]
Andthatmyswordupontheeshallapprove,
[Which;prove]
AndpleadmypassionsforLavinia'slove.
AARON[Aside]
Clubs,clubs!Theseloverswillnotkeepthepeace.[Calltheriotpolice]
DEMETRIUS
Why,boy,althoughourmother,unadvised,
Gaveyouadancingrapierbyyourside,
[ornamentalsword]
Areyousodesperategrowntothreatyourfriends?2.1.40
Goto;haveyourlathgluedwithinyoursheath
[playsword]
Tillyouknowbetterhowtohandleit.
CHIRON
Meanwhile,sir,withthelittleskillIhave,
FullwellshaltthouperceivehowmuchIdare.
DEMETRIUS
Ay,boy,growyesobrave?
[Theydraw]
AARON
[Comingforward]Why,hownow,lords!
Soneartheemperor'spalacedareyedraw,
Andmaintainsuchaquarrelopenly?
FullwellIwotthegroundofallthisgrudge:
[know]
Iwouldnotforamillionofgold
Thecausewereknowntothemitmostconcerns;2.1.50
Norwouldyournoblemotherformuchmore
BesodishonouredinthecourtofRome.
Forshame,putup.
DEMETRIUS
NotI,tillIhavesheathed
Myrapierinhisbosom,andwithal
[withit]
Thrustthosereproachfulspeechesdownhisthroat
Thathehathbreathedinmydishonourhere.
CHIRON
ForthatIampreparedandfullresolved,
Foulspokencoward,thatthunder'stwiththytongue,
Andwiththyweaponnothingdar'stperform.
AARON
Away,Isay!2.1.60
Now,bythegodsthatwarlikeGothsadore,
Thisprettybrabblewillundousall.
[sillyargument]
Why,lords,andthinkyounothowdangerous
[cutinon]
Itistojetuponaprince'sright?
What,isLaviniathenbecomesoloose,
OrBassianussodegenerate,
Thatforherlovesuchquarrelsmaybebroached
[madepublic]
Withoutcontrolment,justice,orrevenge?
[bringingtoaccount]
Younglords,beware!Andshouldtheempressknow
Thisdiscord'sground,themusicwouldnotplease.2.1.70
CHIRON
Icarenot,I,knewsheandalltheworld:
IloveLaviniamorethanalltheworld.
DEMETRIUS
Youngling,learnthoutomakesomemeanerchoice:
Lavinaisthineelderbrother'shope.
3
AARON
Why,areyemad?OrknowyenotinRome
Howfuriousandimpatienttheybe,
Andcannotbrookcompetitorsinlove?
[tolerate]
Itellyou,lords,youdobutplotyourdeaths
Bythisdevice.
[scheme]
CHIRON
Aaron,athousanddeathswouldIpropose2.1.80
TachieveherwhomIlove.
[win]
AARON
Tachieveherhow?
DEMETRIUS
Whymak'stthouitsostrange?
Sheisawoman,thereforemaybewooed;
Sheisawoman,thereforemaybewon;
SheisLavinia,thereforemustbeloved.
What,man!Morewaterglidethbythemill
Thanwotsthemillerof;andeasyitis
[knows]
Ofacutloaftostealashive,weknow.
[slice]
ThoughBassianusbetheemperor'sbrother,
BetterthanhehavewornVulcan'sbadge.2.1.90
AARON
[Aside.]Aye,andasgoodasSaturninusmay.
DEMETRIUS
Thenwhyshouldhedespairthatknowstocourtit
Withwords,fairlooks,andliberality?
What,hastnotthoufulloftenstruckadoe, [i.e.struckdown]
Andbornehercleanlybythekeeper'snose? [carriedheraway;under]
AARON
Why,then,itseemssomecertainsnatchorso
[or,quickie]
Wouldserveyourturns.
CHIRON
Aye,sotheturnwereserved.
[or,ride]
DEMETRIUS
Aaron,thouhasthitit.
AARON
Wouldyouhadhitittoo!
[or,gotitup]
Thenshouldnotwebetiredwiththisado.
Why,harkye,harkye!Andareyousuchfools2.1.100
[listenup]
Tosquareforthis?Woulditoffendyou,then,
[fallout]
Thatbothshouldspeed?
[succeed]
CHIRON
Faith,notme.
DEMETRIUS
Norme,soIwereone.
AARON
Forshame,befriends,andjoinforthatyoujar.[whatyouargueabout]
'Tispolicyandstratagemmustdo
[scheming;trickery]
Thatyouaffect;andsomustyouresolve
[whatyouintend]
Thatwhatyoucannotasyouwouldachieve, [whichyouwishto]
Youmustperforceaccomplishasyoumay. [necessarily]
TakethisofmeLucrecewasnotmorechaste
ThanthisLavinia,Bassianus'love.2.1.110
Aspeediercoursethanlingeringlanguishment[lovesickness]
Mustwepursue,andIhavefoundthepath.
Mylords,asolemnhuntingisinhand
TherewillthelovelyRomanladiestroop:
Theforestwalksarewideandspacious;
Andmanyunfrequentedplotsthereare
Fittedbykindforrapeandvillainy.
Singleyouthither,then,thisdaintydoe,
[Singleoutfromthere]
Andstrikeherhomebyforceifnotbywords
Thisway,ornotatall,standyouinhope.2.1.120
Come,come,ourempress,withhersacredwit
Tovillainyandvengeanceconsecrate,
Willweacquaintwithallwhatweintend,
Andsheshallfileourengineswithadvice
[sharpenourwits]
Thatwillnotsufferyoutosquareyourselves, [uptoeachother]
Buttoyourwishes'heightadvanceyouboth.
Theemperor'scourtisliketheHouseofFame,
Thepalacefulloftongues,ofeyes,andears;
5
Thewoodsareruthless,dreadful,deaf,anddull.
Therespeakandstrike,braveboys,andtakeyourturns;2.1.130
Thereserveyourlust,shadowedfromheaven'seye,
AndrevelinLavinia'streasury.
CHIRON
Thycounsel,lad,smellsofnocowardice.
DEMETRIUS
Sitfasautnefas,tillIfindthestream [Whetheritsrightorwrong]
Tocoolthisheat,acharmtocalmthesefits,
PerStyga,permanesvehor. [IamcarriedthroughStyx,throughshades]
[Exeunt.]
36
ACT2SCENE2
Infrontofthepalace.
[Assaidbefore,someeditorsstartAct2here,
makingthis2.1,theargumentbeingthatthereisa
breakintheaction.Itisthemorningofthehunt,
withTitusgivinganironicspeech(asTamoradoes
inthenextscene,evenmoreironically)abouthow
beautifulnatureis,andhowwonderfulthingsare.
Sotheyshouldbe,asthehuntisbeingstagedto
celebrateadoublewedding,butwehavealreadybeentoldofAarons
plot,whichwillshortlybeputintoaction.Oblivioustoit,Titusandhis
familymakearacketwiththeirhornstosetthehoundsbayingand
waketheemperorscourt(comparetherudeawakeningtheygiveitin
4.3)inaparodyofthetraditionalserenadingofahoneymooncouple.
Itisunlikelythattheoriginalperformanceswouldhavefeatured
actualdogs,justasTitusschariotentranceinthelastactwouldnot
haveusedhorses;insteadmusicianswouldprobablyhaveprovided
thehornsandbarkingoffstage.Despitethepossibilityofplayingthis
sceneascomicreliefwithSaturninusreactinggrumpilytoTituss
misplacedcheerthereareacoupleofsinisternotes:Titustalks
abouthistroubledsleep,andattheendDemetriusremindshis
brotherthattheyaregoingtouseadifferenthuntingtechniqueto
catchadoemeaningLavinia.]
[EnterTITUSANDRONICUS,withhisthreesonsLUCIUS,
QUINTUS,andMARTIUS,andMARCUS;withhoundsandhorns]
TITUS
Thehuntisup,themornisbrightandgay,
Thefieldsarefragrant,andthewoodsaregreen.
Uncouplehere,andletusmakeabay,
[unleash;barking]
Andwaketheemperorandhislovelybride,
Androusetheprince,andringahunter'speal,
[sound;horn]
Thatallthecourtmayechowiththenoise.
Sons,letitbeyourcharge,asitisours,
Tattendtheemperor'spersoncarefully:
Ihavebeentroubledinmysleepthisnight,
37
Butdawningdaynewcomforthathinspired.2.2.10
[Hereacryofhoundsandwindhornsinapeal;thenenter
SATURNINUS,TAMORA,BASSIANUS,LAVINIA,DEMETRIUS,CHIRON,
andtheirAttendants]
Manygoodmorrowstoyourmajesty!
Madam,toyouasmanyandasgood:
Ipromisdyourgraceahunter'speal.
SATURNINUS
Andyouhaverungitlustily,mylord;
[vigorously]
Somewhattooearlyfornewmarriedladies.
BASSIANUS
Lavinia,howsayyou?
LAVINIA
Isayno;Ihavebeenbroadawaketwohoursandmore.
SATURNINUS
Comeonthen,horseandchariotsletushave,
Andtooursport.[ToTAMORA]Madam,nowshallyesee
OurRomanhunting.
MARCUS
Ihavedogs,mylord,2.2.20
Willrousetheproudestpantherinthechase,
Andclimbthehighestpromontorytop.
TITUS
AndIhavehorsewillfollowwherethegame
Makesway,andrunlikeswallowso'ertheplain.
DEMETRIUS
Chiron,wehuntnot,we,withhorsenorhound,
Buthopetopluckadaintydoetoground.
[Exeunt.]
ACT2SCENE3
Alonelypartoftheforest.
[Aaronsevilplanisnowputintooperation.He
plantssomegold,tomakeitlooklikeTitusssons
QuintusandMartiusarebeingpaidtokill
Bassianus,toconfirmwhathehaswritteninhis
forgedletter,beforerejectingTamorasamorous
advancesandgoingofftofetchChironand
Demetrius.LaviniaandBassianus,thinkingthattheyhavewalkedinto
aloversmeeting,aresarcastictoTamora;she,actingonAarons
instructions,makesarowoveritandcallsforhersons.Bassianusis
killedandLavinia,afterappealinginvaintoTamoraswomanly
feelings,istakenoffstagetoberaped.QuintusandMartius,perhaps
drunkfromthefestivities,aretrickedbyAaronintofallingintothepit
whereBassianussbodylies.Saturninusisbroughtonthesceneand
theframeupcompletedbytheproductionofthegoldandtheletter
infrontofthebewilderedTitusandtheangryLucius.
ActaeonHesawDiananakedandwasturnedintoastagbyher.The
originalcuckoldseeintroductionto4.3.
CimmerianMemberofatribeofrobberswholivedincavesand
avoideddaylight.
CocytusAriverinHell.
DianDiana,goddessofhuntingandchastity,towhomBassianus
sarcasticallycomparesTamora.
DidoQueenofCarthage,wholovedthewanderingprinceAeneas.
JoveJupiter,kingofthegods.
PyramusABabylonianyouthinOvidsstoryofPyramusandThisbe,
whichinspiredthemuchlaterRomeoandJuliet.Pyramusisinlove
withthebeautifulvirginThisbe,butfindsherbloodstainedveil;
thinkingsheisdead,hekillshimself.
PhilomelPhilomela,rapevictimwhohadhertonguecutout.Forthe
fullstoryseetheintroductiontothenextscene.Aaron,withhis
knowledgeofRomanliterature,hasclearlybriefedTamorassonson
whattodo,andwithTamorasconsent.
39
SaturnRomangodofagricultureandtime;thoseunderhis
astrologicalinfluencewere,aswellasbeingpronetogloominess,
unforgivinguntilavenged,asSaturninusisattheendofthisscene.
SemiramisSeeintroductionto2.1.
VenusAdjectivevenereal,Romangoddessoflove.]
POINTSOFINTEREST.Thecentralmotifofthescenethe"loathsomepit"
hasashiftingmeaning.Itbeginsasapossibleplaceofrefugefor
Laviniaat2.3.176,becomesBassianus'stombat2.3.186,ahidden
accountofwhatishappeningtoLaviniaoffstagethroughoutthe
QuintusandMartiusepisode,ametaphorforhell(e.g.at2.3.236),an
extensionoftheAndronicitombfrom1.1(see2.3.228)andfinallya
prisoncellforTitus'swronglysuspectedsons.MartiusandQuintus
fallintothepitbecauseofunexplainedproblemswiththeirsightand
sleepiness.Perhapsthewoodisverydarkortheyaredrunkfromthe
festivities;thiseditiontakesthelatterview,whichseemstowork
betteronstage.Whichever,itishardtobelievethatthesetwowere
toughenoughtooutlivemostoftheirbrothers.Notealsohow
Tamorachangeshertunethatis,hertoneanddictioninher
descriptionsoftheplace(2.3.1029and2.3.91108).
AmongtheElizabethansadulterywasaverycommonsubjectfor
humour.Menwhosewivessleptaroundwerecalledcuckolds,and
describedashavinghornsontheirheads.Throughouttheplayyoull
findjokesabouthornsandantlers;forexample,at2.3.67horning
referredbothtoananimalattackingwithitshornsandawifecheating
onherhusband.]
[EnterAARONwithabagofgold]
AARON
HethathadwitwouldthinkthatIhadnone
[intelligence]
Toburysomuchgoldunderatree,
Andneveraftertoinheritit.
Lethimthatthinksofmesoabjectly
[insuchpoorterms]
Knowthatthisgoldmustcoinastratagem,
[produceatrick]
Which,cunninglyeffected,willbeget
[givebirthto]
Averyexcellentpieceofvillainy.
Andsorepose,sweetgold,fortheirunrest
[Hidesthegold]
Thathavetheiralmsoutoftheempress'chest.[charity(hesstolenit)]
[EnterTAMORA]
TAMORA
MylovelyAaron,whereforelook'stthousad2.3.10
[whydoyoulook]
Wheneverythingdoesmakeagleefulboast?
Thebirdschantmelodyoneverybush;
Thesnakeslierolldinthecheerfulsun;
Thegreenleavesquiverwiththecoolingwind,
Andmakeachequeredshadowontheground.
Undertheirsweetshade,Aaron,letussit,
Andwhilstthebabblingechomocksthehounds,
Replyingshrillytothewelltunedhorns,
Asifadoublehuntwereheardatonce,
Letussitdownandmarktheiryelpingnoise;2.3.20
And,afterconflictsuchaswassupposed
ThewanderingprinceandDidoonceenjoyed,
Whenwithahappystormtheyweresurprised,
Andcurtainedwithacounselkeepingcave,
[secret]
Wemay,eachwreathdintheother'sarms,
Ourpastimesdone,possessagoldenslumber,
Whileshoundsandhornsandsweetmelodiousbirds
Beuntousasisanurse'ssong
Oflullabytobringherbabeasleep.
*[Theyliedowntogether]
AARON
Madam,thoughVenusgovernyourdesires,2.3.30
Saturnisdominatorovermine.
Whatsignifiesmydeadlystandingeye,
[fixedkillerslook]
Mysilenceandmycloudymelancholy,
Myfleeceofwoollyhairthatnowuncurls
Evenasanadderwhenshedothunroll
Todosomefatalexecution?
No,madam,thesearenovenerealsigns
[loving,erotic]
Vengeanceisinmyheart,deathinmyhand;
Bloodandrevengearehammeringinmyhead.
Hark,Tamora,theempressofmysoul,2.3.40
Whichneverhopesmoreheaventhanrestsinthee:
ThisisthedayofdoomforBassianus
[judgement]
HisPhilomelmustlosehertonguetoday,
Thysonsmakepillageofherchastity,
AndwashtheirhandsinBassianus'blood.
Seestthouthisletter?Takeitup,Ipraythee,
Andgivethekingthisfatalplottedscroll.
Nowquestionmenomoreweareespied.
Herecomesaparcelofourhopefulbooty,
Whichdreadsnotyettheirlives'destruction.2.3.50
TAMORA
Ah,mysweetMoor,sweetertomethanlife!
AARON
Nomore,greatempressBassianuscomes.
Becrosswithhim,andI'llgofetchthysons
[i.e.Pickaquarrel]
Tobackthyquarrels,whatsoe'ertheybe.
*[Aaronrisesandexits.]
[EnterBASSIANUSandLAVINIA.*TAMORArises,forgettingletteron
ground.]
BASSIANUS
Whohavewehere?Rome'sroyalempress,
Unfurnishedofherwellbeseemingtroop? [Withoutherfineretinue]
OrisitDian,habitedlikeher,
Whohathabandonedherholygroves
Toseethegeneralhuntinginthisforest?
TAMORA
Saucycontrollerofmyprivatesteps!2.3.60
[Cheekysnooper]
HadIthepowerthatsomesayDianhad,
Thytemplesshouldbeplantedpresently
Withhorns,aswasActaeon's,andthehounds
Shoulddriveuponthynewtransformdlimbs,
Unmannerlyintruderasthouart!
[Rudetrespasser]
LAVINIA
Underyourpatience,gentleempress,
[Ifyoullallowme]
'Tisthoughtyouhaveagoodlygiftinhorning,
[cheatingonmen]
AndtobedoubtedthatyourMoorandyou
[perhaps]
Aresingledforthtotryexperiments. [selectedforcrossbreeding]
Joveshieldyourhusbandfromhishoundstoday!2.3.70
'Tispitytheyshouldtakehimforastag.
BASSIANUS
Believeme,queen,yourswarthCimmerian
[i.e.swarthy,black]
Dothmakeyourhonourofhisbody'shue,
Spotted,detested,andabominable.
[i.e.withdirt]
Whyareyousequesteredfromallyourtrain, [hiddenfromyourretinue]
Dismountedfromyoursnowwhitegoodlysteed,
Andwanderedhithertoanobscureplot,
AccompaniedbutwithabarbarousMoor,
Iffouldesirehadnotconductedyou?
LAVINIA
And,beinginterceptedinyoursport,2.3.80
[caughtout]
Greatreasonthatmynoblelordberated
[toldoff]
Forsauciness.Iprayyouletushence,
[impudence]
Andletherjoyherravencolouredlove;
[enjoy]
Thisvalleyfitsthepurposepassingwell.
[rather]
BASSIANUS
Thekingmybrothershallhavenoticeofthis.
LAVINIA
Aye,fortheseslipshavemadehimnotedlong.
[talkedabout]
Goodking,tobesomightilyabused!
TAMORA
WhyhaveIpatiencetoendureallthis?
[EnterDEMETRIUSandCHIRON]
DEMETRIUS
Hownow,dearsovereign,andourgraciousmother!
Whydothyourhighnesslooksopaleandwan?2.3.90
TAMORA
HaveInotreason,thinkyou,tolookpale?
Thesetwohave'ticedmehithertothisplace.
Abarrendetestedvaleyouseeitis
Thetrees,thoughsummer,yetforlornandlean,
O'ercomewithmossandbalefulmistletoe.
Herenevershinesthesun;herenothingbreeds,
Unlessthenightlyowlorfatalraven;
Andwhentheyshowedmethisabhorrdpit,
Theytoldme,here,atdeadtimeofthenight,
Athousandfiends,athousandhissingsnakes,2.3.100
Tenthousandswellingtoads,asmanyurchins,
Wouldmakesuchfearfulandconfusedcries
Asanymortalbodyhearingit
Shouldstraightfallmadorelsediesuddenly.
Nosoonerhadtheytoldthishellishtale
Butstraighttheytoldmetheywouldbindmehere
Untothebodyofadismalyew,
Andleavemetothismiserabledeath;
Andthentheycalledmefouladulteress,
LasciviousGoth,andallthebitterestterms2.3.110
Thatevereardidheartosucheffect
Andhadyounotbywondrousfortunecome,
Thisvengeanceonmehadtheyexecuted.
Revengeit,asyouloveyourmother'slife,
Orbeyenothenceforthcalledmychildren.
DEMETRIUS
ThisisawitnessthatIamthyson.
[StabsBASSIANUS]
CHIRON
Andthisforme,struckhometoshowmystrength.
[AlsostabsBASSIANUS,whodies]
[inabadway]
[deadly]
[hedgehogs]
[Sexmad]
LAVINIA
Ay,come,Semiramisnay,barbarousTamora
Fornonamefitsthynaturebutthyown!
TAMORA
Givemetheponiard.Youshallknow,myboys,2.3.120
Yourmother'shandshallrightyourmother'swrong.
DEMETRIUS
Stay,madamhereismorebelongstoher.
Firstthrashthecorn,thenafterburnthestraw.
Thisminionstooduponherchastity,
Uponhernuptialvow,herloyalty,
Andwiththatpaintedhopebravesyourmightiness
Andshallshecarrythisuntohergrave?
CHIRON
Anifshedo,IwouldIwereaneunuch.
Draghenceherhusbandtosomesecrethole,
Andmakehisdeadtrunkpillowtoourlust.2.3.130
TAMORA
Butwhenyehavethehoneywedesire,
Letnotthiswaspoutliveusbothtosting.
CHIRON
Iwarrantyou,madam,wewillmakethatsure.
Come,mistress,nowperforcewewillenjoy
Thatnicepreservedhonestyofyours.
LAVINIA
OTamora!thoubear'stawoman'sface
TAMORA
Iwillnothearherspeak!Awaywithher!
LAVINIA
Sweetlords,entreatherhearmebutaword.
DEMETRIUS
Listen,fairmadam.Letitbeyourglory
6
[dagger]
[pamperedpet]
[wedding]
[unreal]
[If]
[persuade]
Toseehertears,butbeyourhearttothem2.3.140
Asunrelentingflinttodropsofrain.
LAVINIA
Whendidthetiger'syoungonesteachthedam?
[mother]
O,donotlearnherwrathshetaughtitthee.
Themilkthousuck'dstfromherdidturntomarble
Evenatthyteatthouhadstthytyranny.
Yeteverymotherbreedsnotsonsalike:
[ToCHIRON]Dothouentreathershowawoman'spity.
CHIRON
What,wouldstthouhavemeprovemyselfabastard?
LAVINIA
'Tistrue,theravendothnothatchalark;
YethaveIheardO,couldIfinditnow!2.3.150
Thelion,movedwithpity,didendure
Tohavehisprincelypawsparedallaway.
Somesaythatravensfosterforlornchildren
Thewhilsttheirownbirdsfamishintheirnests.
O,betome,thoughthyhardheartsayno,
Nothingsokind,butsomethingpitiful!
TAMORA
Iknownotwhatitmeansawaywithher!
LAVINIA
O,letmeteachthee.Formyfather'ssake,
Thatgavetheelife,whenwellhemighthaveslainthee,
Benotobdurateopenthydeafears.2.3.160
[stubborn]
TAMORA
Hadstthouinpersonne'eroffendedme,
EvenforhissakeamIpitiless.
Remember,boys,Ipouredforthtearsinvain
Tosaveyourbrotherfromthesacrifice,
ButfierceAndronicuswouldnotrelent.
Thereforeawaywithher,anduseherasyouwill
Theworsetoherthebetterlovedofme.
LAVINIA
OTamora,becalledagentlequeen,
Andwiththineownhandskillmeinthisplace!
For'tisnotlifethatIhavebeggedsolong2.3.170
PoorIwasslainwhenBassianusdied.
TAMORA
Whatbegg'stthou,then?Fondwoman,letmego. [Foolish]
LAVINIA
'TispresentdeathIbegandonethingmore,
Thatwomanhooddeniesmytonguetotell:
O,keepmefromtheirworsethankillinglust,
Andtumblemeintosomeloathsomepit,
Whereneverman'seyemaybeholdmybody.
Dothis,andbeacharitablemurderer.
TAMORA
SoshouldIrobmysweetsonsoftheirfee.
No,letthemsatisfytheirlustonthee.2.3.180
DEMETRIUS
Away!Forthouhaststayedusheretoolong.
[kept]
LAVINIA
Nograce?Nowomanhood?Ah,beastlycreature!
Theblotandenemytoourgeneralname!
Confusionfall
CHIRON
Nay,thenI'llstopyourmouth.Bringthouherhusband
ThisistheholewhereAaronbidushidehim.
[DEMETRIUSthrowsBASSIANUS'Sbodyintothepit;thenexitwith
CHIRON,draggingoffLAVINIA]
TAMORA
Farewell,mysons.Seethatyoumakehersure
Ne'erletmyheartknowmerrycheerindeed
TillalltheAndronicibemadeaway.
NowwillIhencetoseekmylovelyMoor,2.3.190
Andletmyspleenfulsonsthistrulldeflower.
[lustful;tart]
[Exit]
[ReenterAARON,withQUINTUSandMARTIUS.*Heisplyingthem
withdrink]
AARON
Comeon,mylords,thebetterfootbefore [best foot forward]
StraightwillIbringyoutotheloathsomepit
WhereIespiedthepantherfastasleep.
QUINTUS
Mysightisverydull,whate'eritbodes.
[thatmeans]
[*HetakesabottlefromAARON,drinks,thenpassesittoMARTIUS]
MARTIUS
Andmine,Ipromiseyou.Were'tnotforshame,
WellcouldIleaveoursporttosleepawhile
[Fallsintothepit]
QUINTUS
What,artthoufallen?Whatsubtleholeisthis,
Whosemouthiscoveredwithrudegrowingbriars,
Uponwhoseleavesaredropsofnewshedblood2.3.200
Asfreshasmorningdewdistilledonflowers?
Averyfatalplaceitseemstome.
Speak,brother!Hastthouhurttheewiththefall?
MARTIUS
Obrother,withthedismallstobjecthurt
Thatevereyewithsightmadeheartlament!
AARON
[Aside]NowwillIfetchthekingtofindthemhere,
Thathetherebymayhavealikelyguess
[throughthis]
Howtheseweretheythatmadeawayhisbrother.
[Exit]
MARTIUS
Whydostnotcomfortme,andhelpmeout
Fromthisunhallowedandbloodstaindhole?2.3.210 [unholy]
QUINTUS
Iamsurprisedwithanuncouthfear
[unidentified]
Achillingsweato'errunsmytremblingjoints;
Myheartsuspectsmorethanmineeyecansee.
MARTIUS
Toprovethouhastatruediviningheart,
[trulyperceptive]
Aaronandthoulookdownintothisden,
Andseeafearfulsightofbloodanddeath.
QUINTUS
Aaronisgone,andmycompassionateheart
[emotionfilled]
Willnotpermitmineeyesoncetobehold
Thethingwhereatittremblesbysurmise:
[bywhich;toimagine]
2.3.220
O,tellmewhoitis,forne'ertillnow
WasIachildtofearIknownotwhat.
MARTIUS
LordBassianusliesberayedinblood,
[fouledby]
Allonaheap,liketoaslaughteredlamb,
Inthisdetested,dark,blooddrinkingpit.
QUINTUS
Ifitbedark,howdostthouknow'tishe?
MARTIUS
Uponhisbloodyfingerhedothwear
Apreciousringthatlightensallthehole,
Which,likeataperinsomemonument,
Dothshineuponthedeadman'searthycheeks,
Andshowstheraggdentrailsofthepit2.3.230
SopaledidshinethemoononPyramus
10
Whenhebynightlaybathedinmaidenblood.
Obrother,helpmewiththyfaintinghand
Iffearhathmadetheefaint,asmeithath
Outofthisfelldevouringreceptacle,
AshatefulasCocytus'mistymouth.
QUINTUS
Reachmethyhand,thatImayhelptheeout,
Or,wantingstrengthtodotheesomuchgood,
Imaybepluckedintotheswallowingwomb
OfthisdeeppitpoorBassianus'grave.2.3.240
Ihavenostrengthtoplucktheetothebrink.
MARTIUS
NorInostrengthtoclimbwithoutthyhelp.
QUINTUS
ThyhandoncemoreIwillnotloseagain
Tillthouartherealoft,orIbelow.
ThoucanstnotcometomeIcometothee!
[Fallsin]
[EnterSATURNINUSwithAARON]
SATURNINUS
AlongwithmeI'llseewhatholeishere,
Andwhatheisthatnowisleapedintoit.
Say,whoartthouthatlatelydidstdescend
Intothisgapinghollowoftheearth?
MARTIUS
TheunhappysonsofoldAndronicus,2.3.250
Broughthitherinamostunluckyhour,
TofindthybrotherBassianusdead.
SATURNINUS
Mybrotherdead!Iknowthoudostbutjest
Heandhisladybothareatthelodge
Uponthenorthsideofthispleasantchase.
11
[cruel]
[huntingground]
'TisnotanhoursinceIleftthemthere.
MARTIUS
Weknownotwhereyouleftthemallalive
But,out,alasherehavewefoundhimdead!
[obviously]
[ReenterTAMORA,withAttendants;TITUSANDRONICUSand
LUCIUS.*TITUSseestheletterandpicksitup;TAMORAsnatchesit
fromhim]
TAMORA
Whereismylordtheking?
SATURNINUS
Here,Tamora,thoughgrievedwithkillinggrief.2.3.260
TAMORA
WhereisthybrotherBassianus?
SATURNINUS
Nowtothebottomdostthousearchmywound
PoorBassianushereliesmurdered.
TAMORA
ThenalltoolateIbringthisfatalwrit,
[Shehandsovertheletter.]
Thecomplotofthistimelesstragedy;
[conspiracy]
Andwondergreatlythatman'sfacecanfold
[enclose]
Inpleasingsmilessuchmurderoustyranny.
SATURNINUS
[Reads]'Anifwemisstomeethimhandsomely,
SweethuntsmanBassianus'tiswemean
Dothousomuchasdigthegraveforhim.2.3.270
Thouknow'stourmeaning.Lookforthyreward
Amongthenettlesattheeldertree
Whichovershadesthemouthofthatsamepit
12
WherewedecreedtoburyBassianus.
Dothis,andpurchaseusthylastingfriends.'
OTamora!Waseverheardthelike?
Thisisthepitandthistheeldertree.
Look,sirs,ifyoucanfindthehuntsmanout
ThatshouldhavemurderedBassianushere.
AARON
Mygraciouslord,hereisthebagofgold.2.3.280
[Heshowsit]
SATURNINUS
[ToTITUS]Twoofthywhelps,fellcursofbloodykind,[crueldogs]
Haveherebereftmybrotherofhislife.
[robbed]
Sirs,dragthemfromthepituntotheprison
Thereletthembideuntilwehavedevised
Someneverheardoftorturingpainforthem.
TAMORA
What,aretheyinthispit?Owondrousthing!
Howeasilymurderisdiscovered!
TITUS
Highemperor,uponmyfeebleknee
Ibegthisboon,withtearsnotlightlyshed:
[favour]
2.3.290
Thatthisfellfaultofmyaccursdsons
Accursdifthefaultbeprovedinthem
SATURNINUS
Ifitbeproved!Youseeitisapparent.
Whofoundthisletter?Tamora,wasityou?
TAMORA
Andronicushimselfdidtakeitup.
TITUS
Idid,mylord.Yetletmebetheirbail
For,bymyfathers'reverendtomb,Ivow
Theyshallbereadyatyourhighness'will
13
Toanswertheirsuspicionwiththeirlives.
SATURNINUS
Thoushaltnotbailthemseethoufollow me.
Somebringthemurderedbody,somethemurderers.2.3.300
Letthemnotspeakawordthe guiltisplain;
For,bymysoul,werethereworseendthandeath,
Thatenduponthemshouldbeexecuted.
TAMORA
Andronicus,Iwillentreattheking.
Fearnotthysonstheyshalldo well enough.
TITUS
Come,Lucius,come;staynottotalkwiththem.
[Exeuntseverally.Attendantsbearingthebody]
[Theyleavethe
14
stageseparately]
54

ACT2SCENE4
AnotherpartoftheForest.
[InthissceneTamorassonshavemutilatedLaviniato
preventherfromspeakingorwritingaboutherordeal,
buttheystillcontinuetotormenther.Sheisdiscovered
byheruncleMarcuswho,notknowinghowtoreact,
makesalongspeechfullofrhetoric,poetryandclassical
allusions.ThisplaywaswrittenintheRenaissance,whenlotsof
classicalancientGreekandRomanbookswerebeingrediscovered.
ItmusthaveseemedtotheyoungShakespearethattheRomanswere
seriouslyhamperedbytheweightoftheirliterarypastandtraditions,
simplybecauseoftheamountofknowledgefromthemwhichhad
floodedtheacademicworld.
CLASSICALREFERENCES.PhilomelawasthedaughteroftheKingof
AthensandsisterofProcne,wifeofTereus.TereusrapedPhilomela
andcutouthertonguesoshecouldntdenouncehim,hidingherina
castle.However,shemanagedtosendatapestry(thesampler)to
Procne,whoserveduphissonItylusasfoodtohimatafeast.Inthe
versionofthestorywhichappearsinOvidsMetamorphosesPhilomela
turnsintoanightingale,escapingTereus,whobecomesahoopoe.
ThatAaronknowsthestoryandthepitfallofitsplancanbeseenfrom
2.3.43hesaswellreadastheRomansthemselves.InOvidTitanis
thesun.TheotherreferenceistotheThracianpoetOrpheus,who
hypnotizedthethreeheadedwatchdogofHades,Cerberus,by
playingmusic.
POINTSOFINTEREST.Forthedirectortherearetwomajorchallenges:to
presentLaviniawithouttheaudiencelaughing,andhavingaMarcus
holdingforthwithoutstrainingaudiencecredulity,astowhyhe
doesntsayordoanythingmorepractical.Therearesimilaritiesboth
intone,dictionandrhetoricbetweenwhatMarcussayshereandthe
reactionofHieronimoinTheSpanishTragedytoascreaminthenight
andhissonHoratiohanginginthegardenIdidnotslumber,he
says,thereforetwasnodreambutHieronimohasmoreexcuse
55
forhisdeclamationssinceHoratioisdead.PeterBrook,inhisfamous
1955versionoftheplay,gotridofMarcussspeechcompletely.]
[EnterDEMETRIUSandCHIRON,withLAVINIA,ravished;herhands
cutoff,andhertonguecutout]
DEMETRIUS
So,nowgotell,anifthytonguecanspeak,
[if]
Who'twasthatcutthytongueandravish'dthee.
CHIRON
Writedownthymind,bewraythymeaningso,
[reveal]
Anifthystumpswilllettheeplaythescribe.
DEMETRIUS
Seehowwithsignsandtokensshecanscrowl.
[symbols;scrawl]
CHIRON
Gohome,callforsweetwater,washthyhands.
DEMETRIUS
Shehathnotonguetocall,norhandstowash;
Andsolet'sleavehertohersilentwalks.
CHIRON
An'tweremycase,Ishouldgohangmyself.
DEMETRIUS
Ifthouhadsthandstohelptheeknitthecord!2.4.10
[ExeuntDEMETRIUSandCHIRON]
[EnterMARCUS]
MARCUS
Whoisthismyniece?that flies away sofast?
Cousin,aword!Whereisyourhusband?
IfIdodream,wouldallmywealthwouldwakeme!
IfIdowake,someplanetstrikemedown,
ThatImayslumberaneternalsleep!
Speak,gentleniece:whatsternungentlehands
Hathlopped,andhewed,andmadethybodybare
Ofhertwobranches,thosesweetornaments
Whosecirclingshadowskingshavesoughttosleepin,
Andmightnotgainsogreatahappiness2.4.20
Ashalfthylove?Whydostnotspeaktome?
Alas,acrimsonriverofwarmblood,
Liketoabubblingfountainstirredwithwind,
Dothriseandfallbetweenthyrosdlips,
Comingandgoingwiththyhoneybreath.
ButsuresomeTereushathdefloweredthee,
And,lestthoushouldstdetecthim,cutthytongue.
Ah,nowthouturn'stawaythyfaceforshame,
Andnotwithstandingallthislossofblood,
Asfromaconduitwiththreeissuingspouts,2.4.30
YetdothycheekslookredasTitan'sface,
Blushingtobeencounteredwithacloud.
ShallIspeakforthee?ShallIsay'tisso?
O,thatIknewthyheart,andknewthebeast,
ThatImightrailathim,toeasemymind!
Sorrowconceald,likeanovenstopped,
Dothburnthehearttocinderswhereitis.
FairPhilomela,whyshebutlosthertongue,
Andinatedioussamplersewedhermind;[someintricateneedlework]
But,lovelyniece,thatmeaniscutfromthee.2.4.40 [means]
AcraftierTereus,cousin,hastthoumet,
Andhehathcutthoseprettyfingersoff
ThatcouldhavebettersewedthanPhilomel.
O,hadthemonsterseenthoselilyhands
Tremble,likeaspenleaves,uponalute,[kindofstringedinstrument]
Andmakethesilkenstringsdelighttokissthem,
Hewouldnotthenhavetouchedthemforhislife!
Orhadheheardtheheavenlyharmony
Whichthatsweettonguehathmade,
Hewouldhavedroppedhisknife,andfellasleep,2.4.50
AsCerberusattheThracianpoet'sfeet.
Come,letusgo,andmakethyfatherblind,
Forsuchasightwillblindafather'seye.
Onehour'sstormwilldrownthefragrantmeads;
[meadows]
Whatwillwholemonthsoftearsthyfather'seyes?
Donotdrawback,forwewillmournwiththee:
O,couldourmourningcasethymisery!
[Exeunt]
ACT3SCENE1
Rome.Astreet.
[Thisisthescenewheretheproblemspileup
forTitusuntilhefinallygetsthemessage.He
failsinhispleasformercyforQuintusand
Martius;hefindsoutLuciushasbeen
banished;heseesLaviniahasbeenmutilated,
hashisownhandcutoffandrealizesat
longlastthathehasbeentricked.Butthere
ishope,asLuciusvowstoraiseanarmy
amongtheGothsandattackRome.
ThegenerallyacceptedturningpointoftheplayisTitusslaughterat
3.1.263hesrunoutoftears,andbecomesnowthecrazedleaderof
avendetta.
Etna Thefamous,real,volcanoinSicily,theItalianisland.
LimboAplacenexttohellbutnotinit,wheregoodnonChristians
andunbaptizedchildrengo.OneofseveralRomanCatholicideasina
playsetinpreChristiantimes.
NilusTheRiverNile,asymbolofoverabundancetotheElizabethans.
TarquinThesamelastkingofRomewhofeatureselsewhereinthis
play.BecauseoftherapeofLucrece(Lucretia)byhissonSextus,and
hersubsequentsuicide,heandhiswifefoundthemselvesin244A.D.
lockedoutofthecity.
TroyAsymbolofgreatdisasterfortheElizabethans,andonewhich
featuresthroughouttheplay.
POINTSOFINTEREST.InthiseditionAaronremainssecretlyonstageafter
3.1.204,sohecanspyontheeffectsofhismischief.Thisisaneditors
ratherthanadirectorschoice,sincehetellsusat5.1.1145,withno
motiveforlying,thathesawtheheadsandhandreturned.Doeshe
alsohearLuciussvow?Itwouldhavegivenhimadditionalreasonto
goasswiftasswallowfliestotheempresssfriendsamongthe
Goths(4.2.1724)ifhehad.AfterLuciusexits,doesheperhaps
59
graduallycomeoutofhiding,silentlyrubhishands,thengooffstage
himself?]
[EnterJudges,TribunesandSenators,withMARTIUS
andQUINTUSbound,passingoverthestagetotheplaceofexecution;
TITUSgoingbefore,pleading]
TITUS
Hearme,gravefathers!Nobletribunes,stay!
Forpityofmineage,whoseyouthwasspent
Indangerouswarswhilstyousecurelyslept;
ForallmybloodinRome'sgreatquarrelshed;
ForallthefrostynightsthatIhavewatched;
Andforthesebittertears,whichnowyousee
Fillingtheagdwrinklesinmycheeks
Bepitifultomycondemnedsons,
Whosesoulsarenotcorruptedas'tisthought.
FortwoandtwentysonsIneverwept,3.1.10
Becausetheydiedinhonour'sloftybed.
[TITUSliesdown,andtheJudgesandotherspassbyhim]
Forthese,tribunes,inthedustIwrite
Myheart'sdeeplanguorandmysoul'ssadtears.
[grief]
Letmytearsstanchtheearth'sdryappetite;
[satisfy]
Mysons'sweetbloodwillmakeitshameandblush.
[ExeunttheJudgesandotherswiththeprisoners]
Oearth,Iwillbefriendtheemorewithrain
Thatshalldistilfromthesetwoancienturns,
[i.e.myoldeyes]
ThanyouthfulAprilshallwithallhisshowers:
Insummer'sdroughtI'lldropupontheestill;
InwinterwithwarmtearsI'llmeltthesnow,3.1.20
Andkeepeternalspringtimeonthyface,
Sothourefusetodrinkmydearsons'blood.
[EnterLuciuswithhisweapondrawn]
Oreverendtribunes!Ogentleagedmen!
[respected]
Unbindmysons,reversethedoomofdeath;
Andletmesay,thatneverweptbefore,
Mytearsarenowprevailingorators.
[thestrongest]
LUCIUS
Onoblefather,youlamentinvain:
Thetribuneshearyounot,nomanisby
Andyourecountyoursorrowstoastone!
[tell]
TITUS
Ah,Lucius,forthybrothersletmeplead.3.1.30
Gravetribunes,oncemoreIentreatofyou.
[beg]
LUCIUS
Mygraciouslord,notribunehearsyouspeak.
TITUS
Why,'tisnomatter,man:iftheydidhear,
Theywouldnotmarkme;iftheydidmark,
[notice]
Theywouldnotpityme;yetpleadImust,
[pointlessly]
Andbootlessuntothem.
ThereforeItellmysorrowstothestones,
Whothoughtheycannotanswermydistress,
Yetinsomesorttheyarebetterthanthetribunes,
Forthattheywillnotinterceptmytale.3.1.40
WhenIdoweeptheyhumblyatmyfeet
Receivemytears,andseemtoweepwithme;
Andweretheybutattiredingraveweeds,
[dressedinblack]
Romecouldaffordnotribunesliketothese.
Astoneissoftaswax,tribunesmorehardthanstones;
Astoneissilent,andoffendethnot,
Andtribuneswiththeirtonguesdoommentodeath.
[Rises]
Butwhereforestand'stthouwiththyweapondrawn?[whydoyoustand]
LUCIUS
Torescuemytwobrothersfromtheirdeath,
Forwhichattemptthejudgeshavepronounced3.1.50
Myeverlastingdoomofbanishment.
[lifelong sentence]
TITUS
Ohappyman,theyhavebefriendedthee!
Why,foolishLucius,dostthounotperceive
ThatRomeisbutawildernessoftigers?
Tigersmustprey,andRomeaffordsnoprey
[provides]
Butmeandmine.Howhappyartthou,then,
Fromthesedevourerstobebanished
ButwhocomeswithourbrotherMarcushere?
[EnterMARCUSandLAVINIA]
MARCUS
Titus,preparethyagdeyestoweep,
Orifnotso,thynoblehearttobreak.3.1.60
Ibringconsumingsorrowtothineage.
TITUS
Willitconsumeme?Letmeseeitthen.
MARCUS
Thiswasthydaughter.
TITUS
Why,Marcus,sosheis.
LUCIUS
Ayeme!Thisobjectkillsme!
TITUS
Faintheartedboy,arise,andlookuponher.
Speak,myLavinia,whataccursedhand
Hathmadetheehandlessinthyfather'ssight?
Whatfoolhathaddedwatertothesea,
OrbroughtafaggottobrightburningTroy?
[somekindling]
3.1.70
Mygriefwasattheheightbeforethoucam'st;
Andnow,likeNilus,itdisdainethbounds.
[wontbecontained]
GivemeaswordI'llchopoffmyhandstoo,
FortheyhavefoughtforRome,andallinvain,
Andtheyhavenursedthiswoeinfeedinglife.
Inbootlessprayerhavetheybeenheldup,
Andtheyhaveservedmetoeffectlessuse.
NowalltheserviceIrequireofthem
Isthattheonewillhelptocuttheother.
'Tiswell,Lavinia,thatthouhastnohands,
ForhandstodoRomeservicearebutvain.3.1.80
LUCIUS
Speak,gentlesister,whohathmartyredthee?
MARCUS
O,thatdelightfulengineofherthoughts,
Thatblabbedthemwithsuchpleasingeloquence,
Istornfromforththatprettyhollowcage
Where,likeasweetmelodiousbird,itsung
Sweetvariednotes,enchantingeveryear!
LUCIUS
O,saythouforher,whohathdonethisdeed?
MARCUS
O,thusIfoundherstrayinginthepark,
Seekingtohideherself,asdoththedeer
Thathathreceivedsomeunrecuringwound.3.1.90
TITUS
Itwasmydeer,andhethatwoundedher
Hathhurtmemorethanhadhekilledmedead.
FornowIstandasoneuponarock
Environedwithawildernessofsea,
Whomarksthewaxingtidegrowwavebywave,
Expectingeverwhensomeenvioussurge
Willinhisbrinishbowelsswallowhim.
Thiswaytodeathmywretchedsonsaregone;
Herestandsmyotherson,abanishedman;
Andheremybrother,weepingatmywoes.3.1.100
Butthatwhichgivesmysoulthegreatestspurn
IsdearLavinia,dearerthanmysoul.
[brutalized]
[i.e.hertongue]
[uncurable]
[Surrounded]
[Alwayswaiting]
[kick]
HadIbutseenthypictureinthisplight
Itwouldhavemaddedme.WhatshallIdo
NowIbeholdthylivelybodyso?
Thouhastnohandstowipeawaythytears,
Nortonguetotellmewhohathmartyredthee.
Thyhusbandheisdead,andforhisdeath
Thybrothersarecondemned,anddeadbythis.
Look,Marcus!Ah,sonLucius,lookonher!3.1.110
WhenIdidnameherbrothers,thenfreshtears
Stoodonhercheeks,asdoththehoneydew
Uponagatheredlilyalmostwithered.
MARCUS
Perchancesheweepsbecausetheykilledherhusband,[Perhaps]
Perchancebecausesheknowstheminnocent.
TITUS
[ToLavinia]Iftheydidkillthyhusband,thenbejoyful,
Becausethelawhathta'enrevengeonthem.
No,no,theywouldnotdosofouladeed
Witnessthesorrowthattheirsistermakes.
GentleLavinia,letmekissthylips,3.1.120
OrmakesomesignhowImaydotheeease.
Shallthygooduncle,andthybrotherLucius,
Andthou,andI,sitroundaboutsomefountain,
Lookingalldownwards,tobeholdourcheeks
Howtheyarestained,likemeadowsyetnotdry,
Withmiryslimeleftonthembyaflood?
[boggy]
Andinthefountainshallwegazesolong,
Tillthefreshtastebetakenfromthatclearness,
Andmadeabrinepitwithourbittertears?
Orshallwecutawayourhandslikethine?3.1.130
Orshallwebiteourtongues,andindumbshows
Passtheremainderofourhatefuldays?
Whatshallwedo?Letus,thathaveourtongues,
Plotsomedeviceoffurthermisery,
Tomakeuswonderedatintimetocome.
LUCIUS
Sweetfather,ceaseyourtears,foratyourgrief
Seehowmywretchdsistersobsandweeps.
MARCUS
Patience,dearniece.GoodTitus,drythineeyes.
[Giveshimhandkerchief]
TITUS
Ah,Marcus,Marcus!Brother,wellIwot
3.1.140
Thynapkincannotdrinkatearofmine,
Forthou,poorman,hastdrowneditwiththineown.
LUCIUS
Ah,myLavinia,Iwillwipethycheeks.
TITUS
Mark,Marcus,mark!Iunderstandhersigns:
Hadsheatonguetospeak,nowwouldshesay
ThattoherbrotherwhichIsaidtothee
Hisnapkin,withhistruetearsallbewet,
Candonoserviceonhersorrowfulcheeks.
O,whatasympathyofwoeisthis
AsfarfromhelpasLimboisfromBliss!
[EnterAARONtheMooralone]
AARON
TitusAndronicus,mylordtheemperor3.1.150
Sendstheethisword:that,ifthoulovethysons,
LetMarcus,Lucius,orthyself,oldTitus,
Oranyoneofyou,chopoffyourhand
Andsendittotheking.Heforthesame
Willsendtheehitherboththysonsalive,
Andthatshallbetheransomfortheirfault.
TITUS
Ograciousemperor!OgentleAaron!
Dideverravensingsolikealark
Thatgivessweettidingsofthesun'suprise?
WithallmyheartI'llsendtheemperormyhand.3.1.160
[know]
[handkerchief]
[heaven]
[backhere]
GoodAaron,wiltthouhelptochopitoff?
LUCIUS
Stay,father!Forthatnoblehandofthine,
Thathaththrowndownsomanyenemies,
Shallnotbesentmyhandwillserve theturn.
Myyouthcanbettersparemybloodthanyou,
Andthereforemineshallsavemybrothers'lives.
MARCUS
WhichofyourhandshathnotdefendedRome,
Andrearedaloftthebloodybattleaxe,
Writingdestructionontheenemy'scasque?
O,noneofbothbutareofhighdesert.3.1.170
Myhandhathbeenbutidle:letitserve
Toransommytwonephewsfromtheirdeath
ThenhaveIkeptittoaworthyend.
AARON
Nay,come,agreewhosehandshallgoalong,
Forfeartheydiebeforetheirpardoncome.
MARCUS
Myhandshallgo.
LUCIUS
Byheaven,itshallnotgo!
TITUS
Sirs,strivenomore:suchwitheredherbsasthese
Aremeetforpluckingup,andthereforemine.
LUCIUS
Sweetfather,ifIshallbethoughtthyson,
Letmeredeemmybrothersbothfromdeath.3.1.180
MARCUS
Andforourfather'ssakeandmother'scare,
Nowletmeshowabrother'slovetothee.
[helmet]
[i.e.hisoldhands]
[suitable; weeding]
TITUS
AgreebetweenyouIwillsparemyhand.
LUCIUS
ThenI'llgofetchanaxe.
MARCUS
ButIwillusetheaxe.
[ExeuntLUCIUSandMARCUS]
TITUS
Comehither,AaronI'lldeceivethemboth.
Lendmethyhand,andIwillgivetheemine.
AARON
[Aside]Ifthatbecalleddeceit,Iwillbehonest,
AndneverwhilstIlivedeceivemenso
ButI'lldeceiveyouinanothersort,
3.1.190
Andthatyou'llsayerehalfanhourpass.

[HecutsoffTITUS'Shand*withhissword]
[ReenterLUCIUSandMARCUS]
TITUS
Nowstayyourstrifewhatshallbeisdespatched.
GoodAaron,givehismajestymyhand
Tellhimitwasahandthatwardedhim
Fromthousanddangers.Bidhimburyit.
Morehathitmeritedthatletithave.
Asformysons,sayIaccountofthem
Asjewelspurchasedataneasyprice
Andyetdeartoo,becauseIboughtmineown.
AARON
Igo,Andronicus,andforthyhand
Lookbyandbytohavethysonswiththee.3.1.200
[Aside]TheirheadsImean.O,howthisvillainy
Dothfatmewiththeverythoughtsofit!
[way]
[before]
[done]
Letfoolsdogood,andfairmencallforgrace:
Aaronwillhavehissoulblacklikehisface.
[*AARONpretendstoexit,butconcealshimselfinthediscoveryspace]
TITUS
O,hereIliftthisonehanduptoheaven,
Andbowthisfeebleruintotheearth.
Ifanypowerpitieswretchdtears,
TothatIcall![ToLAVINIA,whokneels]What,wiltthoukneelwithme?
Do,then,dearheart,forheavenshallhearourprayers,
Orwithoursighswe'llbreathethewelkindim,3.1.210
[sky]
Andstainthesunwithfog,assometimeclouds
Whentheydohughimintheirmeltingbosoms.
MARCUS
Obrother,speakwithpossibilities,
Anddonotbreakintothesedeepextremes.
TITUS
Isnotmysorrowdeep,havingnobottom?
Thenbemypassionsbottomlesswiththem.
MARCUS
Butyetletreasongovernthylament.
[sorrow]
TITUS
Iftherewerereasonforthesemiseries,
ThenintolimitscouldIbindmywoes.
Whenheavendothweep,dothnottheeartho'erflow?3.1.220
Ifthewindsrage,dothnottheseawaxmad,
Threateningthewelkinwithhisbigswol'nface?
Andwiltthouhaveareasonforthiscoil?
[turmoil]
Iamtheseahark,howhersighsdoflow!
Sheistheweepingwelkin,Itheearth:
[sky]
Thenmustmyseabemovdwithhersighs;
Thenmustmyearthwithhercontinualtears
Becomeadeluge,overflowedanddrowned;
Forwhymybowelscannothideherwoes,
ButlikeadrunkardmustIvomitthem.3.1.230
Thengivemeleaveforloserswillhaveleave
Toeasetheirstomachswiththeirbittertongues.
[EnteraMessenger,withtwoheadsandahand.TITUSandLAVINIA
rise]
MESSENGER
WorthyAndronicus,illartthourepaid.
Forthatgoodhandthousent'sttheemperor
Herearetheheadsofthytwonoblesons;
Andhere'sthyhand,inscorntotheesentback.
Thygrieftheirsports,thyresolutionmocked,
[entertainment]
Thatwoeismetothinkuponthywoes
Morethanremembranceofmyfather'sdeath.
[Exit]
MARCUS
NowlethotEtnacoolinSicily,3.1.240
Andbemyheartaneverburninghell!
Thesemiseriesaremorethanmaybeborne.
Toweepwiththemthatweepdotheasesomedeal;
Butsorrowfloutedatisdoubledeath.
[mocked]
LUCIUS
Ah,thatthissightshouldmakesodeepawound,
Andyetdetestedlifenotshrinkthereat!
[becauseofit]
Thateverdeathshouldletlifebearhisname,
Wherelifehathnomoreinterestbuttobreathe!
[LAVINIAkisseshim]
MARCUS
Alas,poorheart,thatkissiscomfortless
Asfrozenwatertoastarvdsnake.3.1.250
TITUS
Whenwillthisfearfulslumberhaveanend?
10
MARCUS
Nowfarewell,flattrydie,Andronicus.
[selfdelusion]
Thoudostnotslumber:seethytwosons'heads,
Thywarlikehand,thymangleddaughterhere,
Thyotherbanishedsonwiththisdearsight
Struckpaleandbloodless;andthybrotheraye,
Evenlikeastonyimage,coldandnumb.
Ah!NownomorewillIcontrolthygriefs
Rentoffthysilverhair,thyotherhand
[Tear]
3.1.260
Gnawingwiththyteeth,andbethisdismalsight
Theclosingupofourmostwretchdeyes.
Nowisatimetostormwhyartthoustill?
TITUS
Ha,ha,ha!
MARCUS
Whydostthoulaugh?itfitsnotwiththishour.
[atatimelikethis]
TITUS
Why,Ihavenotanotherteartoshed.
Besides,thissorrowisanenemy,
Andwouldusurpuponmywateryeyes,
[takeover]
Andmakethemblindwithtributarytears
ThenwhichwayshallIfindrevenge'scave?
Forthesetwoheadsdoseemtospeaktome,3.1.270
AndthreatmeIshallnevercometobliss
Tillallthesemischiefsbereturnedagain,
Evenintheirthroatsthathavecommittedthem.
Come,letmeseewhattaskIhavetodo.
Youheavypeoplecirclemeabout,
ThatImayturnmetoeachoneofyou,
Andswearuntomysoultorightyourwrongs.
[MARCUS,LUCIUSandLAVINIAsurroundTITUS.Theymakeavow]
Thevowismade.Come,brother,takeahead;
AndinthishandtheotherwillIbear.
AndLavinia,thoushaltbeemployed:3.1.290
Bearthoumyhand,sweetwench,betweenthyteeth.
11
Asforthee,boy,go,gettheefrommysight
Thouartanexile,andthoumustnotstay.
HietotheGoths,andraiseanarmythere;
Andifyouloveme,asIthinkyoudo,
Let'skissandpart,forwehavemuchtodo.
[ExeuntTITUS,MARCUS,andLAVINIA]
LUCIUS
Farewell,Andronicus,mynoblefather
Thewoefull'stmanthateverlivedinRome.
Farewell,proudRome,tillLuciuscomeagain
Heloveshispledgesdearerthanhislife.
Farewell,Lavinia,mynoblesister
O,wouldthouwertasthoutoforehastbeen!
ButnownorLuciusnorLavinialives
Butinoblivionandhatefulgriefs.
IfLuciuslive,hewillrequiteyourwrongs,
AndmakeproudSaturnineandhisempress
Begatthegates,likeTarquinandhisqueen.
NowwillItotheGoths,andraiseapower
ToberevengedonRomeandSaturnine.
[Exit]
12
[Hurry]
72
ACT3SCENE2
Rome.ARoominTITUS'SHouse.Abanquetsetout,withServants
present.
[Thisscenewasaddedtotheplayatalaterdateby
Shakespeare(perhaps,fromthefluent, confident style,
about1597-9).Titussfamilysitdowntogether toeat
amealtostrengthenthemforrevenge,butthe
increasinglydisturbedTitustalksofsuicideasanoptionforLavinia.
Marcusreplieswithanunfortunatecommentabouthands,which
makesTitusevenmoreupsetuntilherealizesheisbeginningto
understandLaviniasgestures.Marcusagain,however,upsetsTitus
bykillingaflywithhisknife,butheretrievesthesituationbysaying
theflylookedillfavouredlikeAaron,whichleadstoarenewed
attackontheflybyTitus.ThesceneendswithTitusofferingtoread
toLaviniasadstoriesfromthepast.
WhydidShakespeareinsertthisadditionalscene?Thereareanumber
ofpossibilities:
a)Hewantedtocashinonafashionformadscenes.Adding
scenestospiceuprevengetragedieswasnotunknownin1602
additionalsceneswereaddedtoTheSpanishTragedy.
b)HefelttheneedtostressthefactthataftertheexecutionofTituss
sonsandthelossofhishandtheoldmanwasbecomingquitemad.
c)Hewantedtoinsertanintervalintotheplay.Therehadtobean
intervalherebecauseinthenextscenethesameactorsappear,and
therewouldhavebeennopointputtingtwoscenestogetherwiththe
sameactorsShakespeareneverdoesthis.
d)TitusinthisscenevowstowrestanalphabetfromLavinias
martyredsignsbeforeeventuallysittingdowntoreadwithher.
Thisconnectsmasterfullywithwhathappensinthenextscene,where
Laviniacombinesphysicalgesturewithprintedwordstotellherstory.
Thisremindsusofthethemesoftheplay,e.g.thatwordsareprecious
butcanbeworthlesswithoutactions.
e)TheaudienceisgivenmoretimetofeelsorryforLavinia,whois
particularlypitiablehere.
73
f)Perhapsafterallthegrimnesshefeltsomehumourneededtobe
injected,andtheinteractionbetweenthebrotherscanbeplayedasa
comicdoubleact.
g)InbeingpresentedasafamilymealitshowstheAndronici
producingaunitedfrontinadversity.
h)Itforeshadowsthefinalfatalbanquet.
CLASSICALREFERENCES.Lines3.2.278refertoapassageintheepicpoem
TheAeneid(2.2)bytheRomanauthorVirgil.InitDido,theQueenof
Carthage,askstheTrojanprinceAeneastotellherthestoryofthefall
ofTroy.AeneasswifewascalledLavinia;afterhisdeathshefledfrom
hersoninlawtothewoods,whereshegavebirth.
POINTSOFINTEREST.NotehowtheadditionofthisscenemakesAarons
commentat5.1.1412(Tut,Ihavedoneathousanddreadfulthings
Aswillinglyasonewouldkillafly)chargedwithirony. (Another name
for the Devil is "Beelzebub", which means "Lord of the Flies"). Also,
Shakespeareusestheideaoftellingsadstorieswhenthechipsare
down(see3.2.823)inlaterplays,mostnotablyinhistragic
masterpieceKingLear,wheretheTituslikeLearsuggeststhatheand
hisdaughterCordeliatelleachotheroldtaleswhileinprison(at
5.3.12).]
[EnterTITUS,MARCUS,LAVINIA,andYOUNGLUCIUS]
TITUS
Soso,nowsit,andlookyoueatnomore
Thanwillpreservejustsomuchstrengthinus,
Aswillrevengethesebitterwoesofours.
[sorrows]
Marcus,unknitthatsorrowwreathenknot: [i.e.unfoldyourarms]
ThynieceandI,poorcreatures,wantourhands,
Andcannotpassionateourtenfoldgrief
[express]
Withfoldedarms.Thispoorrighthandofmine
Islefttotyrannizeuponmybreast;
[beat(likeatyrants)]
And,whenmyheart,allmadwithmisery,
Beatsinthishollowprisonofmyflesh,3.2.10
Thenthus[Strikeshisbreast]Ithumpitdown.
[ToLAVINIA]Thoumapofwoe,thatthusdosttalkinsigns
Whenthypoorheartbeatswithoutrageousbeating
Thoucanstnotstrikeitthustomakeitstill.
Wounditwithsighing,girlkillit withgroans
Orgetsomelittleknifebetweenthyteeth,
Andjustagainstthyheartmakethouahole,
Thatallthetearsthatthypooreyesletfall
Mayrunintothatsink,and,soakingin,
[drain]
3.2.20
Drownthelamentingfoolinseasalttears.
[sorrowing]
MARCUS
Fie,brother,fie!Teachhernotthustolay
[Shame]
Suchviolenthandsuponhertenderlife.
TITUS
Hownow!Hassorrowmadetheedotealready?[gosoftinthehead]
Why,Marcus,nomanshouldbemadbutI:
Whatviolenthandscanshelayonherlife?
Ah,whereforedostthouurgethenameofhands [why do youinsiston]
TobidAeneastellthetaletwiceo'er,
HowTroywasburntandhemademiserable?
O,handlenotthetheme,totalkofhands,
[leaveoffthesubject]
3.2.30
Lestwerememberstillthatwehavenone.
[Incase]
Fie,fie,howfranticlyIsquaremytalk,
[shape]
Asifweshouldforgetwehadnohands
IfMarcusdidnotnamethewordofhands.
Come,let'sfallto,and,gentlegirl,eatthis.
[tuckin]
Hereisnodrink?Hark,Marcus,whatshesays
Icaninterpretallhermartyredsigns
Shesaysshedrinksnootherdrinkbuttears,
Brewedwithhersorrow,masheduponhercheeks. [beermakingterms]
Speechlesscomplainer,Iwilllearnthythought;
InthydumbactionwillIbeasperfect3.2.40
Asbegginghermitsintheirholyprayers.
Thoushaltnotsigh,norholdthystumpstoheaven,
Norwink,nornod,norkneel,normakeasign,
[closeyoureyes]
ButIofthesewillwrestanalphabet,
[workout]
Andbystillpracticelearntoknowthymeaning.
[constant]
YOUNGLUCIUS
Goodgrandsire,leavethesebitterdeeplaments
Makemyauntmerrywithsomepleasingtale.
MARCUS
Alas,thetenderboy,inpassionmoved,
Dothweeptoseehisgrandsire'sheaviness.
[misery]
TITUS
Peace,tendersaplingthouart made of tears,3.2.50
Andtearswillquicklymeltthylifeaway.
[MARCUSstrikesthedishwithaknife]
Whatdostthoustrikeat,Marcus,withthyknife?
MARCUS
AtthatthatIhavekilled,mylordafly.
TITUS
Outonthee,murderer!Thoukill'stmyheart;
Mineeyesarecloyedwithviewoftyranny.
[bloated]
Adeedofdeathdoneontheinnocent
BecomesnotTitus'brother.Gettheegone
[Doesnt suit]
Iseethouartnotformycompany.
MARCUS
Alas,mylord,Ihavebutkilledafly.
TITUS
Buthowifthatflyhadafatherandmother?3.2.60
*Howwouldtheyhangtheirslendergildedwings
Andbuzzlamentingdoingsintheair!
[theirsadbusiness]
Poorharmlessfly,
Thatwithhisprettybuzzingmelody
Cameheretomakeusmerryand thouhastkilledhim.
MARCUS
Pardonme,sir:twasablackillfavouredfly,
[ugly]
Liketotheempress'Moortherefore Ikilledhim.
TITUS
O,O,O!
Thenpardonmeforreprehendingthee,
[havingagoatyou]
Forthouhastdoneacharitabledeed.3.2.70
Givemethyknife:Iwillinsultonhim,
[putoneover]
FlatteringmyselfasifitweretheMoor
[Pretending]
Comehitherpurposelytopoisonme
[Stabsfly]There'sforthyself,andthat'sforTamora
Ah,sirrah!
[youlittledevil]
YetIthinkwearenotbroughtsolow
Butthatbetweenuswecankillafly
ThatcomesinlikenessofacoalblackMoor.
MARCUS
Alas,poorman!Griefhassowroughtonhim,[hadsuchaneffect]
Hetakesfalseshadowsfortruesubstances.3.2.80
TITUS
[ToServants]Come,takeaway.[ToLAVINIA]Lavinia,gowithme
I'lltothycloset,andgoreadwiththee
[yourownroom]
Sadstorieschancdinthetimesofold.
[whichhappened]
[ToYOUNGLUCIUS]Come,boy,andgowithmethysightisyoung,
Andthoushaltreadwhenminebegintodazzle.[blur(withtearsorage)]
[Exeunt]
[Inlaterstagingsoftheoriginalplayanintervalprobablytookplace
afterthisscene.]
FromanoldengravingoftheopeningofAct4Scene1
ACT4SCENE1
Rome.InfrontofTITUS'Shouse.
[IfweassumethatShakespeare
wrotethepreviousscenetoprovide
asuitablybridgedintervalwecansee
thethematiclinkbetweenthatand
thisscene:thereadingwhichTitus
hopewillprovidesomecomfortleads
toacommunicationbetweenLavinia
andherrelatives.Shehasfounda
booktheveryonethatMarcusciteswhenhefindsherintheforest,
OvidsMetamorphosesanditstaleofPhilomelaandcannowshow
whathappenedtoher.Withtheculpritsidentified,Titussendsyoung
Luciusonamissiontothem.
CLASSICALREFERENCES.Unsurprisinglythissceneisheavywiththem,
thoughtheyaremostlyfromthetworelevantstoriesofPhilomelaand
Lucrece:
ApolloChoseninMarcusslistat4.1.65inhiscapacitiesofgodof
justiceandprophecy.SeebelowPallas,JoveandMercury.
CorneliaVirtuouswomanfamedfortheeducationshegaveher
onlyjewelsofsons,knownastheGracchi,whobecameheroesof
thepeople.
HecubaofTroySeeintroductionto1.1.AfterblindingPolymnestor
withherbarehandsshewentinsane.
JoveJupiterformspartofMarcusslistinhisrolesofguardianof
justiceandvirtue,andpunisherofwrongdoers.
LordJuniusBrutusWithpopularsupporthethrewTarquinandhis
familyoutofRomeaftertheRapeofLucrece.
MercuryAswellasdivinemessengerhewasthegodofcunning.
OvidsMetamorphosisOvidwasacelebratedRomanauthorand
friendofVirgilwhoenjoyedgreatsuccessbeforerunningfoulofthe
Emperorand(likeLucius)gettinghimselfbanished.Metamorphoses,a
seriesofstoriesinverseaboutthingsturningintootherthings,ishis
masterpiece.ShakespearesspellingshowsheisthinkingofArthur
Goldings15657translationintoEnglish.Manyoftheideasinthisplay
comefromOvid.Philomela,bytheway,becomesanightingale.
79
PallasAthene,theRomanMinerva,goddessofwisdomaselsewhere,
butherealsogoddessofwar.
PhilomelAt4.1.47LaviniaisfullyidentifiedwithPhilomela.Seealso
introductionsto2.3and2.4.
SibylProphetesswhowroteherpropheciesonleavesplacedina
certainorderoutsidehercave,andwerepronetobeingblownaway.
TarquinYetanotheraspectofthestoryoftheRapeofLucreceis
shownat4.1.634:TarquinssneakyapproachtoLucreceschamber
waslegendaryandusedbyShakespeareelsewhere,e.g.when
MacbethapproachesDuncansroomwithhisstealthypace/With
Tarquinsravishingstrides(Macbeth2.1.545).Seealsointroductions
to2.1and3.1.
TereusThevillainofthePhilomelastory,identifiedat4.1.48asbeing
guiltyoftreasonhebetrayedhisfatherinlawandhiswife,aswellas
Philomela.
TullysOratorMarcusTulliusCicero,morecommonlyknowasCicero,
wasrenownedasamasteroforatory(rhetoric)theartofpersuasion
throughlanguage.HefailedtopersuadeMarkAntony,though,who
hadhimkilled.]
POINTSOFINTEREST.Havingpreviouslyshownitsweaknessinitsblunting
ofemotionalresponse,theliteraturebasedtraditionofRomenow
showsitsstrength.ChironandDemetriusfoolishlybelievethatthey
cancutofftheflowofwordsthatRomancommunicationdependson,
andthattheycangetawaywiththeirpolicyofinstantgratificationof
theirbasedesires,buthereasinthenextscenetheyshowthey
haveseriouslyunderestimatedthepowerofRomesintellectual
achievement.NotetoohowShakespearecheekilybringsthevery
bookheplundersforhisplotphysicallyontothestage.
[EnterTITUSandMARCUSThenenterYOUNGLUCIUSrunning,with
booksunderhisarm,andLAVINIArunningafterhim]
YOUNGLUCIUS
Help,grandsire,help!MyauntLavinia
FollowsmeeverywhereIknownotwhy.
GooduncleMarcus,seehowswiftshecomes!
Alas,sweetaunt,Iknownotwhatyoumean.
[Dropsbooks]
MARCUS
Standbyme,Luciusdonotfearthineaunt.
TITUS
Shelovesthee,boy,toowelltodotheeharm.
YOUNGLUCIUS
Aye,whenmyfatherwasinRomeshedid.
MARCUS
WhatmeansmynieceLaviniabythesesigns?
TITUS
Fearhernot,Luciussomewhatdothshemean.
See,Lucius,seehowmuchshemakesofthee:4.1.10
Somewhitherwouldshehavetheegowithher.
[Somewhere]
Ah,boy,Cornelianeverwithmorecare
Readtohersonsthanshehathreadtothee
SweetpoetryandTully'sOrator.
MARCUS
Canstthounotguesswhereforeshepliestheethus?
YOUNGLUCIUS
Mylord,Iknownot,I,norcanIguess,
Unlesssomefitorfrenzydopossessher:
ForIhaveheardmygrandsiresayfulloft
Extremityofgriefswouldmakemenmad;
AndIhavereadthatHecubaofTroy4.1.20
Ranmadforsorrow:thatmademetofear;
Although,mylord,Iknowmynobleaunt
Lovesmeasdearase'ermymotherdid,
Andwouldnot,butinfury,frightmyyouth:
Whichmademedowntothrowmybooks,andfly,
Causeless,perhaps:butpardonme,sweetaunt:
And,madam,ifmyuncleMarcusgo,
Iwillmostwillinglyattendyourladyship.
MARCUS
Lucius,Iwill.
[LAVINIAturnsoverwithherstumpsthebookswhichLuciushas
letfall]
TITUS
Hownow,Lavinia!Marcus,whatmeansthis?4.1.30
Somebookthereisthatshedesirestosee.
Whichisit,girl,ofthese?Openthem,boy.
Butthouartdeeperreadandbetterskilled:
Comeandtakechoiceofallmylibrary,
Andsobeguilethysorrow,tilltheheavens
Revealthedamnedcontriverofthisdeed.
Whyliftssheupherarmsinsequencethus?
MARCUS
Ithinkshemeansthatthereweremorethanone
Confederateinthefactaye,more there was,
Orelsetoheavensheheavesthemforrevenge.4.1.40
TITUS
Lucius,whatbookisthatshetossethso?
YOUNGLUCIUS
Grandsire,'tisOvid'sMetamorphoses;
Mymothergaveitme.
MARCUS
Forloveofherthat'sgone,
Perhapssheculleditfromamongtherest.
TITUS
Soft!Sobusilysheturnstheleaves!Helpher:
Whatwouldshefind?Lavinia,shallIread?
ThisisthetragictaleofPhilomel,
AndtreatsofTereus'treasonandhisrape;
Andrape,Ifear,wasrootofthyannoy.
MARCUS
See,brother,seenotehowshequotestheleaves.4.1.50
3
TITUS
Lavinia,wertthouthussurprised,sweetgirl,
Ravished,andwronged,asPhilomelawas,
Forcedintheruthless,vast,andgloomywoods?
[LAVINIAnods]See,see!
Aye,suchaplacethereiswherewedidhunt
Ohadwenever,neverhuntedthere!
Patternedbythatthepoetheredescribes,
Bynaturemadeformurdersandforrapes.
MARCUS
O,whyshouldnaturebuildsofouladen,
Unlessthegodsdelightintragedies?
TITUS
Givesigns,sweetgirlforherearenonebutfriends4.1.60
WhatRomanlorditwasdurstdothedeed,
OrslunknotSaturnine,asTarquinerst,
[once]
ThatleftthecamptosininLucrece'bed?
MARCUS
Sitdown,sweetniece:brother,sitdownbyme.
Apollo,Pallas,Jove,orMercury,
Inspireme,thatImaythistreasonfind!
Mylord,lookhere:lookhere,Lavinia:
Thissandyplotisplain;guide,ifthoucanst,
Thisafterme,whenIhavewritmyname
Withoutthehelpofanyhandatall.4.1.70
[Hewriteshisnamewithhisstaff,guidingitwithfeetand
mouth.]
Cursedbethatheartthatforcedustothisshift!
Writethou,goodniece;andheredisplayatlast
WhatGodwillhavediscoveredforrevenge:
Heavenguidethypentoprintthysorrowsplain,
Thatwemayknowthetraitorsandthetruth!
[Shetakesthestaffinhermouth,guidesitwithherstumps,and
writes.]
TITUS
O,doyeread,mylord,whatshehathwrit?
'StuprumChironDemetrius'
MARCUS
What,what!ThelustfulsonsofTamora
Performersofthisheinousbloodydeed?
TITUS
MagniDominatorpoli,4.1.80
Tamlentusaudisscelera?tamlentusvides?
[Lordofthegreatheavens,
Areyouslowtohearand
seecrimes?]
MARCUS
O,calmthee,gentlelord;althoughIknow
Thereisenoughwrittenuponthisearth
Tostiramutinyinthemildestthoughts,
Andarmthemindsofinfantstoexclaims,
Mylord,kneeldownwithme;Lavinia,kneel;
Andkneel,sweetboy,theRomanHector'shope;
Andswearwithmeas,withthewoefulfere
Andfatherofthatchastedishonoureddame,
LordJuniusBrutusswareforLucrece'rape4.1.90
Thatwewillprosecute,bygoodadvice,
MortalrevengeuponthesetraitorousGoths,
Andseetheirblood,ordiewiththisreproach.
TITUS
'Tissureenough,anyouknewhow.
Butifyouhuntthesebearwhelps,thenbeware:
Thedamwillwake;andifshewindyouonce,
She'swiththeliondeeplystillinleague,
Andlullshimwhilstsheplayethonherback,
Andwhenhesleepswillshedowhatshelist.
Youareayounghuntsman,Marcus;letalone;4.1.100
And,come,Iwillgogetaleafofbrass,
[Rape]
[heroofTroy]
[if]
[cubs]
[mother]
Andwithagadofsteelwillwritethesewords,
Andlayitby:theangrynorthernwind
WillblowthesesandslikeSibyl'sleaves,abroad,
Andwhere'sourlesson,then?Boy,whatsayyou?
YOUNGLUCIUS
Isay,mylord,thatifIwereaman,
Theirmother'sbedchambershouldnotbesafe
ForthesebadbondmentotheyokeofRome.
MARCUS
Ay,that'smyboy!thyfatherhathfulloft
Forhisungratefulcountrydonethelike.4.1.110
YOUNGLUCIUS
And,uncle,sowillI,anifIlive.
TITUS
Come,gowithmeintominearmoury;
Lucius,I'llfitthee;andwithal,myboy,
Shallcarryfrommetotheempress'sons
PresentsthatIintendtosendthemboth:
Come,come;thou'ltdomymessage,wiltthounot?
YOUNGLUCIUS
Aye,withmydaggerintheirbosoms,grandsire.
TITUS
No,boy,notsoI'llteachtheeanothercourse.
Lavinia,come.Marcus,looktomyhouse
LuciusandI'llgobraveitatthecourt.4.1.120
Aye,marrywillwe,sirandwe'llbewaitedon.
[ExeuntTITUS,LAVINIA,andYOUNGLUCIUS]
MARCUS
Oheavens,canyouhearagoodmangroan,
Andnotrelent,ornotcompassionhim?
Marcus,attendhiminhisecstasy,
[way]
[pity]
[madness]
Thathathmorescarsofsorrowinhisheart
Thanfoemen'smarksuponhisbatteredshield;
[enemies]
Butyetsojustthathewillnotrevenge:
RevengetheheavensforoldAndronicus! [Heaventakerevenge]
[Exit]
ACT4SCENE2
Rome.ARoominthePalace.
[InthissceneChironandDemetriusarevisitedby
YoungLucius,whohasagreedtocarryouthis
grandfathersplanandgivesthebrothersagiftof
weaponswithanaccompanyingverseshowingtheir
guilthasbeendiscovered.Theydontunderstandit;
Aarondoes.ANursearriveswithAaronschildbyTamora,whohas
issuedanordertokillit.ButAaronhasotherideas
CLASSICALREFERENCES.
AlcidesHercules,whohelpedTyphonandtheotherTitansbeatthe
gods.
EnceladusfearsomeTitanwhoattackedthegodsunderthe
leadershipofTyphon,butwasstruckdownbyJupitersthunderbolt.
HeignitedthevolcanoofMountEtnawithhisbreath.
HoracefamedRomanpoet.
Typhon100headedfirebreathing,hurricaneraisingTitanorgiant
wholedanassaultonMountOlympus.InEgyptianmythologyhewas
thebrotherofOsirisandthesourceofallevil.
POINTSOFINTEREST.WhatdoesTitussmessagemean?Something
alongthelinesof,Weknowyourethecriminals,andinleaguewith
theMoor,sotaketheseweaponsbecauseyouregoingtoneed
them.ChironandDemetriusneverriseabovethestupid,thinking
Titusissimplycreepinguptothem,butAaroninlearningand
intelligenceisacunningmatchfortheRomans.
AlthoughAaronsprotectivestancetowardshisoffspringisoften
usedtoprovehehasahumanside,hismotivescanalsobeseenas
egotistical.Hisfinalspeechseemstosuggesttheboywillbelikea
perverseversionofthefoundersofRome,RomulusandRemus,who
livedinacaveandweresuckledbyashewolf.Perhapshesimplysees
theboyasameansofperpetuatinghisownevilinfluencesonRome
thegoatthatAaronsayswillsucklehischildwasasymbolofthedevil
totheElizabethans.
87
NotenoughtimehaspassedforTamoratohavethechild.Thisisa
techniquecalleddoubletime,wheretwotimescalesrunalongside
eachother,withouttheaudiencerealizing.Anotherexampleis
LaviniasaccusationthatTamorasadulteryhasmadeSaturninus
notedlong(2.3.86)whentheyveonlybeenmarriedonenight!]
[EnterAARON,DEMETRIUSandCHIRON,atonedoor;atanother
doorYOUNGLUCIUSandanAttendant,withabundleofweapons,
andverseswrituponthem.]
CHIRON
Demetrius,here'sthesonofLucius
Hehathsomemessagetodeliverus.
AARON
Aye,somemadmessagefromhismadgrandfather.
YOUNGLUCIUS
Mylords,withallthehumblenessImay,
IgreetyourhonoursfromAndronicus.
[Aside]AndpraytheRomangodsconfoundyouboth!
DEMETRIUS
Gramercy,lovelyLucius:what'sthenews?
[Many thanks]
YOUNGLUCIUS
[Aside]Thatyouarebothdeciphered,that'sthenews,[foundout]
Forvillainsmarkedwithrape.[Tothem]Mayitpleaseyou:
Mygrandsire,welladvised,hathsentbyme4.2.10
[clearheaded]
Thegoodliestweaponsofhisarmoury
Togratifyyourhonourableyouth,
[give pleasure to]

ThehopeofRomeforsohebidmesay
AndsoIdo,andwithhisgiftspresent
Yourlordships,that,wheneveryouhaveneed,
Youmaybearmedandappointedwell.
[wellequipped]
AndsoIleaveyouboth[aside]likebloodyvillains.
[ExeuntYOUNGLUCIUSandAttendant.]
DEMETRIUS
What'shere?Ascrollandwrittenroundabout?
Let'ssee:
[Reads]'Integervitae,scelerisquepurus,4.2.20[Themanofuprightlifeand
NonegetMaurijaculis,necarcu.'
freefromcrimedoesnotneedthe
javelinsorbowsoftheMoor]
CHIRON
O,'tisaverseinHoraceIknowitwell
Ireaditinthegrammarlongago.
AARON
Aye,justaverseinHoracerightyouhaveit.
[Yes,right]
[Aside]Now,whatathingitistobeanass!
Here'snosoundjest!Theoldmanhathfoundtheirguilt[Itsabadjoke]
Andsendsthemweaponswrappedaboutwithlines,
Thatwoundbeyondtheirfeelingtothequick.
Butwereourwittyempresswellafoot,
[upandabout]
4.2.30
ShewouldapplaudAndronicus'conceit
[trick]
Butletherrestinherunrestawhile.
Andnow,younglords,was'tnotahappystar
LedustoRome,strangersandmorethanso,
Captivestobeadvancedtothisheight?
Itdidmegoodbeforethepalacegate
Tobravethetribuneinhisbrother'shearing.
DEMETRIUS
Butmemoregoodtoseesogreatalord
Baselyinsinuateandsendusgifts.
[Suckuptous]
AARON
Hadhenotreason,LordDemetrius?
Didyounotusehisdaughterveryfriendly?4.2.40
DEMETRIUS
IwouldwehadathousandRomandames
Atsuchabay,byturntoserveourlust.
[Cornered like that]
CHIRON
Acharitablewish,andfulloflove.
AARON
Herelacksbutyourmotherfortosayamen.
CHIRON
Andthatwouldshefortwentythousandmore.
DEMETRIUS
Come,letusgoandpraytoallthegods
Forourbelovdmotherinherpains.
[i.e.labourpains]
AARON
[Aside]Praytothedevilsthegodshavegivenusover!
[Flourishwithin]
DEMETRIUS
Whydotheemperor'strumpetsflourishthus?
CHIRON
Belikeforjoytheemperorhathason.4.2.50
[Maybe]
DEMETRIUS
Soft!Whocomeshere?
[Quiet]
[EnteraNURSE,withablackCHILDinherarms.]
NURSE
Goodmorrow,lords.
O,tellme,didyouseeAarontheMoor?
AARON
Well,Moororlessorne'erawhitatall! [anything,awhiteman]
HereAaronis,andwhatwithAaronnow?
NURSE
OgentleAaron,weareallundone!
Nowhelp,orwoebetidetheeevermore!
AARON
Why,whatacaterwaulingdostthoukeep!
Whatdostthouwrapandfumbleinthyarms?
NURSE
O,thatwhichIwouldhidefromheaven'seye,
Ourempress'shameandstatelyRome'sdisgrace!4.2.60
Sheisdelivered,lordssheisdelivered.
AARON
Towhom?
NURSE
Imean,she'sbroughtabed.
AARON
Well,Godgivehergoodrest!Whathathhesenther?
NURSE
Adevil.
AARON
Why,thensheisthedevil'sdamajoyfulissue!
[mother]
NURSE
Ajoyless,dismal,black,andsorrowfulissue:
Hereisthebabe,asloathsomeasatoad
Amongstthefairestbreedersofourclime:
[region]
Theempresssendsitthee,thystamp,thyseal,
Andbidstheechristenitwiththydagger'spoint.4.2.70
AARON
Zounds,yewhore!Isblacksobaseahue?
[suchaworthlesscolour]
Sweet*blowth,youareabeauteousblossomsure. [bloom,bawler,
nakedone]
DEMETRIUS
Villain,whathastthoudone?
AARON
Thatwhichthoucanstnotundo.
CHIRON
Thouhastundoneourmother.
AARON
Villain,Ihavedonethymother.
DEMETRIUS
Andtherein,hellishdog,thouhastundone.
Woetoherchance,anddamnedherloathdchoice!
Accursedtheoffspringofsofoulafiend!
CHIRON
Itshallnotlive.4.2.80
AARON
Itshallnotdie.
NURSE
Aaron,itmustthemotherwillsitso.
AARON
What,mustit,nurse?ThenletnomanbutI
Doexecutiononmyfleshandblood.
DEMETRIUS
I'llbroachthetadpoleonmyrapier'spoint.
[skewer]
Nurse,giveitmemyswordshallsoondespatchit.
AARON
Soonerthisswordshallploughthybowelsup.
[TakestheCHILDfromtheNURSE,anddraws]
Stay,murderousvillainswillyoukillyourbrother? [Stop]
Now,bytheburningtapersofthesky,
[i.e.thestars]
4.2.90
Thatshonesobrightlywhenthisboywasgot,
Hediesuponmyscimitar'ssharppoint
Thattouchesthismyfirstbornsonandheir!
Itellyou,younglings,notEnceladus,
WithallhisthreateningbandofTyphon'sbrood
NorgreatAlcides,northegodofwar,
Shallseizethispreyoutofhisfather'shands.
What,what,yesanguine,shallowheartedboys!
[bloody]
Yewhitelimedwalls!Yealehousepaintedsigns!
Coalblackisbetterthananotherhue,
Inthatitscornstobearanotherhue.4.2.100
Forallthewaterintheocean
Canneverturntheswan'sblacklegstowhite,
Althoughshelavethemhourlyintheflood.
[washes]
TelltheempressfrommeIamofage
[oldenough]
Tokeepmineown,excuseithowshecan.
DEMETRIUS
Wiltthoubetraythynoblemistressthus?
AARON
Mymistressismymistressthismyself,
Thevigourandthepictureofmyyouth.
ThisbeforealltheworlddoIprefer;
ThismaugrealltheworldwillIkeepsafe,4.2.110
[despite]
OrsomeofyoushallsmokeforitinRome.
[beburned]
DEMETRIUS
Bythisourmotherisforevershamed.
CHIRON
Romewilldespiseherforthisfoulescape.
[affair,birth]
NURSE
Theemperor,inhisrage,willdoomherdeath.
[condemnherto]
CHIRON
Iblushtothinkuponthisignomy.
[scandal]
AARON
Why,there'stheprivilegeyourbeautybears:
Fie,treacheroushue,thatwillbetraywithblushing [Shameonyou]
Thecloseenactsandcounselsofthyheart!
Here'sayoungladframedofanotherleer:
[complexion]
4.2.120
Lookhowtheblackslavesmilesuponthefather,
Aswhoshouldsay'Oldlad,Iamthineown.'
Heisyourbrother,lords,sensiblyfed
Ofthatselfbloodthatfirstgavelifetoyou,
[same]
Andfromyourwombwhereyouimprisonedwere
Heisenfranchisedandcometolight.
[hasbeenfreed]
Nay,heisyourbrotherbythesurerside,
Althoughmysealbestampedinhisface.
NURSE
Aaron,whatshallIsayuntotheempress?
DEMETRIUS
Advisethee,Aaron,whatistobedone,
Andwewillallsubscribetothyadvice.4.2.130
Savethouthechild,sowemayallbesafe.
AARON
Thensitwedownandletusallconsult.
MysonandIwillhavethewindofyou:
Keepthere.[Theysit]Nowtalkatpleasureofyoursafety.
DEMETRIUS
[ToNurse]Howmanywomensawthischildofhis?
AARON
Why,so,bravelords!Whenwejoininleague
Iamalamb,butifyoubravetheMoor,
Thechafdboar,themountainlioness,
[maddened]
TheoceanswellsnotsoasAaronstorms.
[ToNurse]Butsay,again,howmanysawthechild?4.2.140
NURSE
Corneliathemidwifeandmyself,
Andnooneelsebutthedeliveredempress.
AARON
Theempress,themidwife,andyourself
Twomaykeepcounselwhenthethird'saway.
Gototheempress,tellherthisIsaid
[Stabsher,andshedies]
Weke,weke!socriesapigpreparedtothespit.
[Squeak]
DEMETRIUS
Whatmean'stthou,Aaron?Whereforedidstthouthis?
[Why]
AARON
OLord,sir,'tisadeedofpolicy.
[actofpragmatism]
Shallshelivetobetraythisguiltofours,
Alongtonguedbabblinggossip?No,lords,no!4.2.150
Andnowbeitknowntoyoumyfullintent:
Notfar,oneMulylives,mycountryman;
Hiswifebutyesternightwasbroughttobed;
Hischildisliketoher,fairasyouare.
Gopackwithhim,andgivethemothergold,
[Negotiate]
Andtellthemboththecircumstanceofall;
Andhowbythistheirchildshallbeadvanced,
Andbereceivedfortheemperor'sheir,
Andsubstitutedintheplaceofmine,
Tocalmthistempestwhirlinginthecourt;4.2.160
Andlettheemperordandlehimforhisown.
[fussoverhimas]
Harkye,lordsyeseeIhavegivenherphysic.
[Listen;medicine]
[PointingtotheNURSE]
Andyoumustneedsbestowherfuneral
[shouldprovide]
Thefieldsarenear,andyouaregallantgrooms.
[bravelads]
Thisdone,seethatyoutakenolongerdays,
[straightaway]
Butsendthemidwifepresentlytome.
Themidwifeandthenursewellmadeaway,
Thenlettheladiestattlewhattheyplease.
[gossip]
CHIRON
Aaron,Iseethouwiltnottrusttheair
Withsecrets.
DEMETRIUS
ForthiscareofTamora,4.2.170
Herselfandhersarehighlyboundtothee.
[ExeuntDEMETRIUSandCHIRON,bearingoffthedeadNURSE]
AARON
NowtotheGoths,asswiftasswallowflies,
Theretodisposethistreasureinminearms,
Andsecretlytogreettheempress'friends.
Comeon,youthicklippedslave,I'llbearyouhence, [carryyouthere]
Foritisyouthatputsustoourshifts.
[motivatesme]
I'llmakeyoufeedonberriesandonroots,
Andfeedoncurdsandwhey,andsuckthegoat,
Andcabininacave,andbringyouup
[lodge]
4.2.180
Tobeawarriorandcommandacamp.
[Exit]
ACT4SCENE3
Rome.ApublicPlace.
[InthissceneTitusgetshisfamilyandfriendsto
firearrows(withmessagesattached)upto
heaventocallonthegodsforjustice.Marcus
insteadtellsthemtofireintotheEmperors
court.InShakespearesdaythearrowswould
eitherhavebeenfiredoutoftheopentopped
theatre(nohealthandsafetythen!)orat
signsofthezodiacdecorationsonthetheatre
itself.AClown(acountrybumpkin)appears,
onhiswaytobribethepeoplestribunal,showinghowcorruptRome
hasbecome.TitusatfirstthinkstheClownhasbroughthisreplyfrom
thegods;thenhepayshimtotakeaknife,wrappedinaletter(a
supplicationororationarequestorpetition)toSaturninus.The
ClownwouldhavebeenfunnyinShakespearesday,buthisjokesare
mostlylostonusnow.Twoexamples:hemishearsJupiteras
gibbeter(amakerofgallows);hemisunderstandswithagrace
(gracefully)tomeanwithamealtimeprayer.
AcheronAriverofHades.
ApolloGodofthesun,orreason.
AriesZodiacsignoftheRam.
CyclopsAoneeyedgiant.
JoveorJupiterMostpowerfulofthegods.
MarsGodofwar.
MercuryMessengerofthegods.
PallasorAtheneGoddessofwisdomandvirginity.
PlutoGodoftheUnderworld,wherethedeadgo.
SaturnGodofrevenge(amongotherthings).
TaurusZodiacsignoftheBull.
VirgoZodiacsignoftheVirgin.
POINTSOFINTEREST.InthisscenethecuckoldSaturninusiscomparedto
97
TaurusandAriestheBullandtheRam,whichbothhavehorns
becauseAaronissleepingwithhiswifeTamora.Seeintroductionto
2.3. For similarities with The Spanish Tragedy see Sources of the Play.]
[EnterTITUS,bearingarrowswithlettersattheendsofthem;
withhimMARCUS,YOUNGLUCIUS,andothergentlemen,withbows]
TITUS
Come,Marcus,come.Kinsmen,thisistheway.
Sirboy,letmeseeyourarchery;
Lookyedrawhomeenough,and'tistherestraight.
TerrasAstreareliquit:
[Justicehaslefttheearth]
Beyouremembered,Marcus,she'sgone,she'sfled.
[Remember]
Sirs,takeyoutoyourtools.You,cousins,shall
Gosoundtheoceanandcastyournets;
Happilyyoumaycatchherinthesea;
[i.e.Justice]
Yetthere'saslittlejusticeasatland.
No.PubliusandSempronius,youmustdoit4.3.10
'Tisyoumustdigwithmattockandwithspade,
[kindofpickaxe]
Andpiercetheinmostcentreoftheearth.
Then,whenyoucometoPluto'sregion,
Iprayyoudeliverhimthispetition.
Tellhimitisforjusticeandforaid,
AndthatitcomesfromoldAndronicus,
ShakenwithsorrowsinungratefulRome.
Ah,Rome!Well,well,Imadetheemiserable
WhattimeIthrewthepeople'ssuffrages
[When; votes or prayers]
4.3.20
Onhimthatthusdothtyrannizeo'erme.
[i.e. Saturninus]
Go,getyougoneandpraybecarefulall,
Andleaveyounotamanofwarunsearched:
[warship]
Thiswickedemperormayhaveshippedherhence;
And,kinsmen,thenwemaygopipeforjustice.
MARCUS
OPublius,isnotthisaheavycase,
Toseethynobleunclethusdistract?
[distractedordistraught]
PUBLIUS
Therefore,mylords,ithighlyusconcerns
Bydayandnighttoattendhimcarefully,
Andfeedhishumourkindlyaswemay,
[humourhim]
4.3.30
Tilltimebegetsomecarefulremedy.
[produces]
MARCUS
Kinsmen,hissorrowsarepastremedy -
*Butratherhopemybanishednephewmight
JoinwiththeGoths;andwithrevengefulwar
TakewreakonRomeforthisingratitude
[revenge]
AndvengeanceonthetraitorSaturnine!
TITUS
Publius,hownow!Hownow,mymasters!
What,haveyoumetwithher?
PUBLIUS
No,mygoodlord;butPlutosendsyouword,
IfyouwillhaveRevengefromhell,youshall.
Marry,forJustice,sheissoemployed,4.3.40
[Certainly]
Hethinks,withJoveinheaven,orsomewhereelse,
Sothatperforceyoumustneedsstayatime.
[maybe;waitabit]
TITUS
Hedothmewrongtofeedmewithdelays.
I'lldiveintotheburninglakebelow,
AndpullheroutofAcheronbytheheels.
Marcus,wearebutshrubs,nocedarswe,
Nobigbonedmen,framedoftheCyclops'size;
Butmetal,Marcus,steeltotheveryback,
Yetwrungwithwrongsmorethanourbackscanbear;
And,siththere'snojusticeinearthnorhell,4.3.50
[since]
Wewillsolicitheaven,andmovethegods
TosenddownJusticefortowreakourwrongs.
Come,tothisgear.Youareagoodarcher,Marcus.
[Hegivesthemthearrows]
'AdJovem'that'sforyou;here,'AdApollinem';
[ToJove,Apollo]
'AdMartem'that'sformyself.
[ToMars]
Here,boy,toPallashere,toMercury
ToSaturn,CaiusnottoSaturnine:
Youwereasgoodtoshootagainstthewind!
[mightaswell]
Toit,boyMarcus,loose whenIbid
[letgowhenIask]
4.3.60
Ofmyword,Ihavewrittentoeffect.
There'snotagodleftunsolicited.
MARCUS
Kinsmen,shootallyourshaftsintothecourt:
Wewillafflicttheemperorinhispride.
TITUS
Now,masters,draw.[Theyshoot]O,wellsaid,Lucius! [done]
Goodboy,inVirgo'slap! Give itPallas!
MARCUS
Mylord,Iaimamilebeyondthemoon:
YourletteriswithJupiterbythis.
[*Abitofrubblefallsonthestage]
TITUS
Ha!ha!
Publius,Publius,hastthoudone?
See,see,thouhastshotoffoneofTaurus'horns.
MARCUS
Thiswasthesport,mylord:whenPubliusshot,4.3.70
TheBull,beinggalled,gaveAriessuchaknock
[annoyed]
ThatdownfellboththeRam'shornsinthecourt;
Andwhoshouldfindthembuttheempress'villain?
Shelaughed,andtoldtheMoorheshouldnotchoose
Butgivethemtohismasterforapresent.
TITUS
Why,thereitgoes:Godgivehislordshipjoy!
[EnteraCLOWN,withabasketandtwopigeonsinit]
News,newsfromheaven!Marcus,thepostiscome.
Sirrah,whattidings?Haveyouanyletters?
[=You,boy!]
ShallIhavejustice?WhatsaysJupiter?
CLOWN
Ho,thegibbetmaker?Hesaysthathehathtaken4.3.80
themdownagain,forthemanmustnotbehanged
tillthenextweek.
TITUS
ButwhatsaysJupiter,Iaskthee?
CLOWN
Alas,sir,Iknownot"Jubbeter" -Inever
drank withhim inall my
life!
[*jubbe = container for liquor]
TITUS
Why,villain,artnotthouthecarrier?
CLOWN
Aye,ofmypigeons,sirnothingelse.
TITUS
Why,didstthounotcomefromheaven?
CLOWN
Fromheaven?Alas,sir,Inevercamethere.GodforbidI
shouldbesoboldtopresstoheaveninmyyoung4.3.90
days.Why,Iamgoingwithmypigeonstothetribunal
plebs,totakeupamatterofbrawlbetwixtmyuncleand
oneoftheemperal'smen.
MARCUS
[ToTitus]Why,sir,thatisasfitascanbe
toserveforyouroration;andlethimdeliverthe
[petition]
pigeonstotheemperorfromyou.
TITUS
Tellme,canyoudeliveranorationtothe
emperorwithagrace?
CLOWN
Nay,truly,sir,Icouldneversaygraceinall
mylife.4.3.100
[*Clownbacksaway]
TITUS
Sirrah,comehither:makenomoreado,
Butgiveyourpigeonstotheemperor.
Bymethoushalthavejusticeathishands.
Hold,holdmeanwhilehere'smoneyforthycharges.
Givemepenandink.[Hewrites]
Sirrah,canyouwithagracedeliverupasupplication?
CLOWN
Aye,sir.
TITUS
Thenhereisasupplicationforyou.[Givesletter]
Andwhenyoucometohim,atthefirstapproach
youmustkneel;thenkisshisfoot,thendeliverup4.3.110
yourpigeons;andthenlookforyourreward.I'llbe
athand,sir;seeyoudoitbravely. [Takes hold of Clown]
CLOWN
Iwarrantyou,sir - let mealone!
[promise]
TITUS
Sirrah,hastthouaknife?Comeletmeseeit.
[ToMarcus]Here,Marcus,folditintheoration.
[ToClown]Forthoumustholditlikeahumblesuppliant.
Andwhenthouhastgivenittotheemperor,
Knockatmydoor,andtellmewhathesays.
CLOWN
Godbewithyou,sir,Iwill.
TITUS
Come,Marcus,letusgo.Publius,followme.4.3.120
[Exeunt]
ACT4SCENE4
Rome.AStateRoomatthePalace.
[TheAndronicusfamilysattackonSaturninusscourtsendsthe
emperorintoafury,anditsthenooseforthepoorClownwhenhe
handsoverthetrickedoutletter.Asifthingscouldntgetanyworse,
AemiliusannouncestheapproachofTitusssurvivingsonLuciusat
headoftheGotharmy.ButTamorahasacunningplan
CLASSICALREFERENCES.Coriolanus(4.4.67)wasthesubjectofalaterplay
byShakespeare.AfterbeingexpelledfromRomehejoinedforces
withhisformerenemyandmarchedonthecity,campingfivemiles
outsideit.TheRomanstriedtomakepeacewithhim,buthe
remainedstubborn,anditwasonlytheinterventionofhisfamily
whichpersuadedhimnottoattack.Thementionofthenameshows
howAemiliushasthoughtthesituationthrough.
POINTSOFINTEREST.Aswiththerestofthisplay,theuseof
imageryinthisscenepointsforwardtothemature
Shakespeare,withclevermotifsandextendedmetaphors.
Look,forexample,at4.4.8193:hereTamorabeginsby
strikingthesun/gnatmetaphor,followsitwiththe
brillianteagle/smallbirdsone,thencreatesamotifof
sheepdiseasestosuggestthatTitus,likethepeopleof
Rome,isasheep,andthereforeeasilyledtoslaughter.
Gid,adjectivegiddy,isadiseasewhichsendssheepmad,
whilerot,adjectiverotted,isanotherwhichpoisonstheir
liverswhentheyeattoomanyhoneystalks,Tamorassymbolfor
theflatteringwordssheisgoingtousetotrapTitus.Saturninushas
alreadycalledhimselfTitussslaughtermanwhichbesidesmeaning
anexecutionerwasthetermforsomeonewhokilledsheepforthe
butcher.]
[EnterSATURNINUS,TAMORA,DEMETRIUS,CHIRONandattendants.
SATURNINUScarriesinhishandthearrowsthatTITUSshotathim]
SATURNINUS
Why,lords,whatwrongsarethese!Waseverseen
103
AnemperorinRomethusoverborne
[oppressed]
Troubled,confrontedthusand,fortheextent
Oflegaljustice,usedinsuchcontempt?
Mylords,youknowasknowthemightfulgods
[powerful]
Howeverthesedisturbersofourpeace
Buzzinthepeople'sears,therenaughthathpassed [Whisper; nothing]
Butevenwithlawagainstthewilfulsons
[Exceptinline]
OfoldAndronicus.Andwhatandif
Hissorrowshavesooverwhelmedhiswits,4.4.10
Shallwebethusafflictedinhiswreaks,
[actsofreve nge]
Hisfits,hisfrenzy,andhisbitterness?
Andnowhewritestoheavenforhisredress:
[justice]
Seehere'stoJove,andthistoMercury,
ThistoApollo,thistotheGodofWar
SweetscrollstoflyaboutthestreetsofRome! [Perfumed (with incense)]
What'sthisbutlibellingagainsttheSenate,
Andblazoningourinjusticeeverywhere?
[advertising]
Agoodlyhumour,isitnot,mylords?
[fine state of mind]
4.4.20
Aswhowouldsay,inRomenojusticewere!,
ButifIlive,hisfeigndecstasies
[phoney mysticism]
Shallbenosheltertotheseoutrages,
ButheandhisshallknowthatJusticelives
InSaturninus'health;whom,ifshesleep,
[i.e. Justice]
He'llsoawakeasheinfuryshall
Cutofftheproud'stconspiratorthatlives.
[down]
TAMORA
Mygraciouslord,mylovelySaturnine,
Lordofmylife,commanderofmythoughts,
Calmthee,andbearthefaultsofTitus'age,
Theeffectsofsorrowforhisvaliantsons,,4.4.30
Whoselosshathpiercedhimdeep,andscarredhisheart;
Andrathercomforthisdistressdplight
Thanprosecutethemeanestorthebest
Forthesecontempts.[Aside]Why,thusitshallbecome
[suit]
HighwittedTamoratoglozewithall.
[Clever; "soft-soap"]
But,Titus,Ihavetouchedtheetothequick,
[cut youdeeply]
Thylifebloodon't.IfAaronnowbewise,
Thenisallsafetheanchorintheport.
[EnterCLOWN]
Hownow,goodfellow!Wouldstthouspeakwithus?
[Hello]
CLOWN
Yes,forsooth,anyourmistershipbeemperial.,4.4.40 [verymuch,if]
TAMORA
EmpressIam,butyondersitstheemperor.
CLOWN
'Tishe!GodandSaintStephengiveyougoodeen.Ihave
[afternoon]
broughtyoualetterandacoupleofpigeonshere.
[*SATURNINUSopenstheletterandtheknifedropstothefloor]
SATURNINUS
Gotakehimaway,andhanghimpresently!
[now]
CLOWN
HowmuchmoneymustIhave?
TAMORA
Come,sirrah,youmustbehanged.
[boy]
CLOWN
Hanged!By'rlady,thenIhavebroughtupanecktoafairend.
[Exitguarded]
SATURNINUS
[Readsletter]Despitefulandintolerablewrongs!,4.4.50
ShallIendurethismonstrousvillainy?
Iknowfromwhencethissamedeviceproceeds.
Maythisbeborne,asifhistraitoroussons,
[putupwith]
Thatdiedbylawformurderofourbrother,
Havebymymeansbeenbutcheredwrongfully?
Go,dragthevillainhitherbythehair;
[here]
Noragenorhonourshallshapeprivilege.
[granthimimmunity]
ForthisproudmockI'llbethyslaughterman;
Slyfranticwretch,thatholp'sttomakemegreat, [helped]
4.4.60
InhopethyselfshouldgovernRomeandme.,
[EnterAEMILIUS]
Whatnewswiththee,Aemilius?
AEMILIUS
Arm,arm,mylord!Romeneverhadmorecause!
TheGothshavegatheredhead,andwithapower
[raisedanarmy]
Ofhighresolvedmen,benttothespoil,
[onlooting]
Theyhithermarchamain,underconduct
[atfulltilt;leadership]
OfLucius,sontooldAndronicus;
Whothreats,incourseofthisrevenge,todo
AsmuchaseerCoriolanusdid.
SATURNINUS
IswarlikeLuciusgeneraloftheGoths?
Thesetidingsnipme,andIhangthehead,4.4.70
[i.e.inthebud]
Asflowerswithfrost,orgrassbeatdownwithstorms.
Aye,nowbeginsoursorrowstoapproach:
'Tishethecommonpeoplelovesomuch
Myselfhathoftenoverheardthemsay,
WhenIhavewalkedlikeaprivateman,
ThatLucius'banishmentwaswrongfully,
[wrongfullydone]
AndtheyhavewishedthatLuciusweretheiremperor.
TAMORA
Whyshouldyoufear?Isnotyourcitystrong?
SATURNINUS
Ay,butthecitizensfavourLucius,
Andwillrevoltfrommetosuccourhim.,4.4.80
[assist]
TAMORA
King,bethythoughtsimperiouslikethyname.[imperial, commanding]
Isthesundimmed,thatgnatsdoflyinit?
Theeaglesufferslittlebirdstosing,
Andisnotcarefulwhattheymeanthereby,
[doesntcare;byit]
Knowingthatwiththeshadowofhiswing
[stop]
Hecanatpleasurestinttheirmelody.
EvensomayestthouthegiddymenofRome.
[easilyswayed]
Thencheerthyspirit:forknow,thouemperor,
IwillenchanttheoldAndronicus
Withwordsmoresweet,andyetmoredangerous,4.4.90
Thanbaitstofishorhoneystalkstosheep,
[redclover]
Whenastheoneiswoundedwiththebait,
Theotherrottedwithdeliciousfeed.
[madeill]
SATURNINUS
Buthewillnotentreathissonforus.
[pleadwith]
TAMORA
IfTamoraentreathim,thenhewill:
ForIcansmoothandfillhisagdear
[flatter]
Withgoldenpromisesthat,werehisheart
Almostimpregnable,hisoldearsdeaf,
Yetshouldbothearandheartobeymytongue.
[ToAEMILIUS]Gothoubeforebeourambassador4.4.100
Saythattheemperorrequestsaparley
[peacetalksWith]
OfwarlikeLucius,andappointthemeeting
Evenathisfather'shouse,theoldAndronicus.
SATURNINUS
Aemilius,dothismessagehonourably,
Andifhestandonhostageforhissafety,
[insistson]
Bidhimdemandwhatpledgewillpleasehimbest.
AEMILIUS
YourbiddingshallIdoeffectually.
[Exit]
TAMORA
NowwillItothatoldAndronicus,
AndtemperhimwithalltheartIhave,
[mould]
4.4.110
TopluckproudLuciusfromthewarlikeGoths.
Andnow,sweetemperor,beblitheagain,
Andburyallthyfearinmydevices.
SATURNINUS
Thengoincessantly,andpleadtohim.
[Exeunt]
[happy]
[withoutdelay]
ACT5SCENE1
NearRome.
[ItsnotclearwhatLuciussaidtotheGothstomakethem
switchsides,butitseemstohaveworked.Theyreonthe
outskirtsofRomeandhavearrestedAaron,completewith
hischild.Inreturnforitslifeheofferstospillthebeans,
butLuciusgetsmorethanhebargainedforinthe
confession.AaronmakesajokeoutofLaviniasplight,
punningonthewordtrim,whichcouldmeancut(hairor
other),preparemeatforselling,havesexwithorexcellent.
ThesceneendswithAemiliusbringinganinvitationfromSaturninusto
holdtalksinTitusshouse.
POINTSOFINTEREST.TheplayissetinpreChristiantimes,yettheSecond
Gothhasbeengazingonaruinousmonasteryareferencetothe
DissolutionoftheMonasteriesof153841underHenryVIIIandAaron
accusesLuciusofpopishtricks.NotealsoAaronswillingnessto
doathousanddreadfulthingsasonewouldkillafly,whichmight
havebeenonShakespearesmindwhenhepatchedinthepassage
showingtheAndronicidoingpreciselythatin3.2.
Aaronsspeechofunrepentantvillainyat5.1.124144isheavily
influencedbyChristopherMarlowesTheJewofMalta2.3.176214.]
[EnterLUCIUSwithanarmyofGOTHS,withdrumandcolours.]
LUCIUS
Approvedwarriorsandmyfaithfulfriends,
[Proven]
IhavereceivdlettersfromgreatRome,
Whichsignifieswhathatetheybeartheiremperor,
Andhowdesirousofoursighttheyare.
[theydliketoseeus]
Therefore,greatlords,be,asyourtitleswitness,
Imperiousandimpatientofyourwrongs;
AndwhereinRomehathdoneyouanyscath
[injury]
Lethimmaketreblesatisfaction.
109
FIRSTGOTH
Braveslip,sprungfromthegreatAndronicus,
[offshoot,child]
5.1.10
Whosenamewasonceourterror,nowourcomfort;
Whosehighexploitsandhonourabledeeds
IngratefulRomerequiteswithfoulcontempt,
[rewards]
Beboldinus:we'llfollowwherethoulead'st
Likestingingbeesinhottestsummer'sday,
Ledbytheirmastertothefloweredfields
AndbeavengedoncursdTamora.
GOTHS
Andashesaith,sosayweallwithhim.
LUCIUS
Ihumblythankhim,andIthankyouall
Butwhocomeshere,ledbyalustyGoth?
[strongandhealthy]
[EnteraGOTH,leadingAARONwithhisCHILDinhisarms]
SECONDGOTH
RenownedLucius,fromourtroopsIstrayed5.1.20
Togazeuponaruinousmonastery;
AndasIearnestlydidfixmineeye
Uponthewastedbuilding,suddenly
Iheardachildcryunderneathawall.
Imadeuntothenoise,whensoonIheard
Thecryingbabecontrolledwiththisdiscourse:
'Peace,tawnyslave,halfmeandhalfthydam!
[brown;mother]
Didnotthyhuebewraywhosebratthouart.
[reveal]
Hadnaturelenttheebutthymother'slook,
Villain,thoumightsthavebeenanemperor;5.1.30
Butwherethebullandcowarebothmilkwhite,
Theyneverdobegetacoalblackcalf.
[givebirthto]
Peace,villain,peace!' eventhusheratesthebabe [tellsoff]
'ForImustbeartheetoatrustyGoth,
Who,whenheknowsthouarttheempress'babe,
Willholdtheedearlyforthymother'ssake.'
Withthis,myweapondrawn,Irusheduponhim,
Surprisedhimsuddenly,andbroughthimhither,
Touseasyouthinkneedfuloftheman.
[dealwith]
LUCIUS
OworthyGoth,thisistheincarnatedevil5.1.40
ThatrobbedAndronicusofhisgoodhand,
Thisisthepearlthatpleasedyourempress'eye
Andhere'sthebasefruitofhisburninglust.
Say,walleyedslave,whitherwouldstthouconvey
[bulging;where]
Thisgrowingimageofthyfiendlikeface?
Whydostnotspeak?What,deaf?No?Notaword?
Ahalter,soldiers:hanghimonthistree,
Andbyhissidehisfruitofbastardy.
AARON
Touchnottheboyheisofroyalblood.
LUCIUS
Toolikethesireforeverbeinggood.5.1.50
Firsthangthechild,thathemayseeitsprawl
[convulse]
Asighttovexthefather'ssoulwithal.
[torment;with]
Getmealadder.
AARON
Lucius,savethechild,
Andbearitfrommetotheempress.
Ifthoudothis,I'llshowtheewondrousthings
Thathighlymayadvantagetheetohear;
Ifthouwiltnot,befallwhatmaybefall
I'llspeaknomore,butvengeancerotyouall!
[*Aladderisbroughton,andproppedupforAARONtoascend]
LUCIUS
Sayon:anifitpleasemewhichthouspeak'st,
Thychildshalllive,andIwillseeitnourished.5.1.60
[takencareof]
AARON
Anifitpleasethee!Why,assurethee,Lucius,
'TwillvexthysoultohearwhatIshallspeak:
ForImusttalkofmurders,rapes,andmassacres,
Actsofblacknight,abominabledeeds,
Complotsofmischief,treason,villainies
[Conspiracies]
Ruthfultohear,yetpiteouslyperformed [Sorrowful; pitiably]
Andthisshallallbeburiedinmydeath,
Unlessthousweartomemychildshalllive.
LUCIUS
TellonthymindIsaythychildshalllive.
AARON
Swearthatheshall,andthenIwillbegin.5.1.70
LUCIUS
WhoshouldIswearby?Thoubeliev'stnogod
Thatgranted,howcanstthoubelieveanoath?
AARON
WhatifIdonot,asindeedIdonot?
Yet,forIknowthouartreligious,
Andhastathingwithintheecalledconscience,
Withtwentypopishtricksandceremonies
[Catholic]
WhichIhaveseentheecarefultoobserve.
ThereforeIurgethyoathforthatIknow
Anidiotholdshisbaubleforagod,
Andkeepstheoathwhichbythatgodheswears.5.1.80
TothatI'llurgehim:thereforethoushaltvow
Bythatsamegodwhatgodsoe'eritbe
Thatthouador'standhastinreverence
Tosavemyboy,tonourishandbringhimup;
OrelseIwilldiscovernaughttothee.
[revealnothing]
LUCIUS
EvenbymygodIsweartotheeIwill.
AARON
Firstknowthou,Ibegothimontheempress.
LUCIUS
Omostinsatiateandluxuriouswoman!
[impossibletosatisfy;
lecherous]
AARON
Tut,Lucius,thiswasbutadeedofcharity
Tothatwhichthoushalthearofmeanon.5.1.90
[soon]
'TwashertwosonsthatmurderedBassianus:
Theycutthysister'stongue,andravishedher,
Andcutherhands,andtrimmedherasthousaw'st.
LUCIUS
Odetestablevillain!Call'stthouthattrimming?
AARON
Why,shewaswashed,andcut,andtrimmed;and'twas
Trimsportforthemwhichhadthedoingofit.
[Topnotch]
LUCIUS
Obarbarous,beastlyvillains,likethyself!
AARON
Indeed,Iwastheirtutortoinstructthem:
Thatcoddingspirithadtheyfromtheirmother,
[randy]
5.1.100
Assureacardaseverwontheset;
[=without a doubt]
Thatbloodymind,Ithink,theylearnedofme,
Astrueadogaseverfoughtathead.
[headon]
Well,letmydeedsbewitnessofmyworth.
Itrainedthybrethrentothatguilefulhole
[deceitful]
WherethedeadcorpseofBassianuslay.
Iwrotetheletterthatthyfatherfound,
Andhidthegoldwithinthatlettermentioned,
Confederatewiththequeenandhertwosons:
[Inleaguewith]
Andwhatnotdone,thatthouhastcausetorue,
[regret]
5.1.110
WhereinIhadnostrokeofmischiefin't?
Iplayedthecheaterforthyfather'shand,
And,whenIhadit,drewmyselfapart,
Andalmostbrokemyheartwithextremelaughter:
Ipriedmethroughthecreviceofawall
When,forhishand,hehadhistwosons'heads,
Beheldhistears,andlaughedsoheartily
Thatbothmineeyeswererainyliketohis;
AndwhenItoldtheempressofthissport,
Sheswoonedalmostatmypleasingtale,
Andformytidingsgavemetwentykisses.5.1.120
FIRSTGOTH
What,canstthousayallthisandneverblush?
AARON
Aye,likeablackdog,asthesayingis.
LUCIUS
Artthounotsorryfortheseheinousdeeds?
AARON
Aye,thatIhadnotdoneathousandmore.
EvennowIcursethedayand yet,Ithink,
Fewcomewithinthecompassofmycurse
WhereinIdidnotsomenotoriousill,
As,killaman,orelsedevisehisdeath;
Ravishamaid,orplotthewaytodoit;
Accusesomeinnocent,andforswearmyself;5.1.130
[perjure]
Setdeadlyenmitybetweentwofriends;
Makepoormen'scattlestrayandbreaktheirnecks;
Setfireonbarnsandhaystacksinthenight,
Andbidtheownersquenchthemwiththeirtears.
OfthaveIdiggedupdeadmenfromtheirgraves,
Andsetthemuprightattheirdearfriends'doors,
Evenwhentheirsorrowsalmostwereforgot;
Andontheirskins,asonthebarkoftrees,
HavewithmyknifecarvedinRomanletters,
'Letnotyoursorrowdie,thoughIamdead.'5.1.140
Tut,Ihavedoneathousanddreadfulthings
Aswillinglyasonewouldkillafly;
Andnothinggrievesmeheartilyindeed
ButthatIcannotdotenthousandmore.
LUCIUS
Bringdownthedevilforhemustnotdie
Sosweetadeathashangingpresently.
[now]
AARON
Iftherebedevils,wouldIwereadevil,
Toliveandburnineverlastingfire,
SoImighthaveyourcompanyinhell
Buttotormentyouwithmybittertongue!5.1.150
LUCIUS
Sirs,stophismouth,andlethimspeaknomore.
[EnteraGOTH]
THIRDGOTH
Mylord,thereisamessengerfromRome
Desirestobeadmittedtoyourpresence.
LUCIUS
Lethimcomenear.
[EnterAEMILIUS]
Welcome,Aemilius.What'sthenewsfromRome?
AEMILIUS
LordLucius,andyouprincesoftheGoths,
TheRomanemperorgreetsyouallbyme;
And,forheunderstandsyouareinarms,
Hecravesaparleyatyourfather'shouse,
5.1.160
Willingyoutodemandyourhostages,
Andtheyshallbeimmediatelydelivered.
FIRSTGOTH
Whatsaysourgeneral?
LUCIUS
Aemilius,lettheemperorgivehispledges
UntomyfatherandmyuncleMarcus.
Andwewillcome.Marchaway!
[Exeuntwithaflourish]
[wantstalks]
116
ACT5SCENE2
Rome.InfrontofTITUSSHouse.
[InthisblacklycomicsceneTamoraandhersons
poseasthreeavengingspiritsinthehopeof
trickingTitus,whohasbeenmadlywritinginhis
ownblood,intosendingforLucius.Butshehas
underestimatedhim,andthesonsfallintoa
terribletrap.
CentaursCreatureswhowerehalfman,half
horse.ThechiefoftheLapithaepeopleinvitedthemtothewedding
ofPirithous,wheretheygotdrunk,andonethreatenedPirithouss
wife,leadingtoaconflictwhichendedinwholesaleslaughter.Chiron,
bytheway,wasthenameofafamouscentaur.
HyperionTheSunGod.
ProcnePhilomelassister,whoservedherrapistandmutilator
TereusthefleshofhissonItylus.
POINTSOFINTEREST.ThefigureofRevengewaswellknownto
Shakespearesaudience,asitfeaturesonstagefortheentiretyof
KydsTheSpanishTragedy.OnecouldimaginethatTamorawould
havebeenkittedoutinsuchawayastoresembleKydscharacter.
Thefemaleprotagonistofhisplay,BelImperia,alsowritesinherown
blood.
Seneca,whoinspiredKydandthewholerevengetragedygenre,
wroteaplaycalledThyestesinwhichThyestesisfedoneofhis
children.Senecawasavegetarianwhowasforcedtoeatmeatin
ordernottoincurthewrathoftheEmperorTiberius;heendedup
servingthecorruptregimeofNero,whoforcedhimtocommit
suicide.]
[EnterTAMORA,DEMETRIUSandCHIRON,disguised]
TAMORA
Thus,inthisstrangeandsadhabiliment,
[darkcostume]
117
IwillencounterwithAndronicus,
AndsayIamRevenge,sentfrombelow
Tojoinwithhimandrighthisheinouswrongs.
[grievous]
Knockathisstudy,wheretheysayhekeeps
[stays]
Toruminatestrangeplotsofdirerevenge;
[broodupon]
TellhimRevengeiscometojoinwithhim,
Andworkconfusiononhisenemies.
[Theyknock]
[EnterTITUS,papersinhand,above]
TITUS
Whodothmolestmycontemplation?
[disturbsmythoughts]
5.2.10
Isityourtricktomakemeopethedoor,
Thatsomysaddecreesmayflyaway
[resolutions,papers]
Andallmystudybetonoeffect?
Youaredeceived,forwhatImeantodo
SeehereinbloodylinesIhavesetdown,
Andwhatiswrittenshallbeexecuted.
TAMORA
Titus,Iamcometotalkwiththee.
TITUS
No,notaword:howcanIgracemytalk,
[elaborate]
Wantingahandtogiveitaction?
Thouhasttheoddsofme;thereforenomore.
TAMORA
Ifthoudidstknowme,thouwouldsttalkwithme.5.2.20
TITUS
IamnotmadIknowtheewellenough.
Witnessthiswretchedstump,witnessthesecrimsonlines;
Witnessthesetrenchesmadebygriefandcare;
[furrows]
Witnessthetiringdayandheavynight;
Witnessallsorrow,thatIknowtheewell
Forourproudempress,mightyTamora
Isnotthycomingformyotherhand?
TAMORA
Knowthou,sadman,IamnotTamora
SheisthyenemyandIthyfriend.
IamRevenge,sentfromtheinfernalkingdom5.2.30
Toeasethegnawingvultureofthymind
Byworkingwreakfulvengeanceonthyfoes.
Comedownandwelcomemetothisworld'slight,
Conferwithmeofmurderandofdeath.
There'snotahollowcaveorlurkingplace,
Novastobscurityormistyvale,
Wherebloodymurderordetestedrape
CancouchforfearbutIwillfindthemout,
Andintheirearstellthemmydreadfulname
Revenge,whichmakesthefouloffenderquake!5.2.40
TITUS
ArtthouRevenge?Andartthousenttome
Tobeatormenttomineenemies?
TAMORA
Iamthereforecomedownandwelcomeme!
TITUS
DomesomeserviceereIcometothee.
[before]
Lo,bythysidewhereRapeandMurderstands.
NowgivesomesurancethatthouartRevenge:
Stabthem,ortearthemonthychariotwheels,
AndthenI'llcomeandbethywaggoner,
Andwhirlalongwiththeeabouttheglobe,
Providetheetwoproperpalfreys,blackasjet,5.2.50
[finelittlehorses]
Tohalethyvengefulwaggonswiftaway,
Andfindoutmurderersintheirguiltycaves;
Andwhenthycarisloadenwiththeirheads
Iwilldismount,andbythewaggonwheel
Trot,likeaservilefootman,alldaylong,
EvenfromHyperion'srisingintheeast
Untilhisverydownfallinthesea;
AnddaybydayI'lldothisheavytask,
SothoudestroyRapineandMurderthere.
TAMORA
Thesearemyministers,andcomewithme.5.2.60
TITUS
Aretheythyministers?Whataretheycalled?
TAMORA
RapineandMurder;thereforecalledso
'Causetheytakevengeanceofsuchkindofmen.
TITUS
GoodLord,howliketheempress'sonstheyare!
Andyoutheempress!Butweworldlymen
Havemiserable,mad,mistakingeyes.
OsweetRevenge,nowdoIcometothee;
And,ifonearm'sembracementwillcontentthee,
Iwillembracetheeinitbyandby.
[Exitfromabove.(Tituscomesdownthestairsofthetiringhouse,
invisibletotheaudience,givingachanceforTamoratospeaktoher
sons.)]
TAMORA
Thisclosingwithhimfitshislunacy:5.2.70
Whate'erIforgetofeedhisbrainsickfits,
Doyouupholdandmaintaininyourspeeches,
FornowhefirmlytakesmeforRevenge;
And,beingcredulousinthismadthought,
I'llmakehimsendforLuciushisson;
AndwhilstIatabanquetholdhimsure,
I'llfindsomecunningpracticeoutofhand
ToscatteranddispersethegiddyGoths,
[unstable]
Or,attheleast,makethemhisenemies.
See,herehecomes,andImustplymytheme.5.2.80
[getcracking]
[EnterTITUS]
TITUS
LonghaveIbeenforlorn,andallforthee.
[feltabandoned]
Welcome,dreadfury,tomywoefulhouse;
RapineandMurder,youarewelcometoo.
Howliketheempressandhersonsyouare!
Wellareyoufitted,hadyoubutaMoor:
Couldnotallhellaffordyousuchadevil?
ForwellIwottheempressneverwags
[know;moves]
ButinhercompanythereisaMoor;
And,wouldyourepresentourqueenaright,
Itwereconvenientyouhadsuchadevil5.2.90
Butwelcomeasyouare.Whatshallwedo?
TAMORA
Whatwouldstthouhaveusdo,Andronicus?
DEMETRIUS
Showmeamurderer,I'lldealwithhim.
CHIRON
Showmeavillainthathathdonearape,
AndIamsenttoberevengedonhim.
TAMORA
Showmeathousandthathathdonetheewrong,
AndIwillberevengedonthemall.
TITUS
LookroundaboutthewickedstreetsofRome,
Andwhenthoufind'stamanthat'slikethyself,
GoodMurder,stabhimhe'samurderer.5.2.100
Gothouwithhim,andwhenitisthyhap
[youchance]
Tofindanotherthatisliketothee,
GoodRapine,stabhimheisaravisher.
[rapist]
Gothouwiththem,andintheemperor'scourt
Thereisaqueen,attendedbyaMoor
Wellmaystthouknowherbythineownproportion,
Forupanddownshedothresemblethee.
Ipraythee,doonthemsomeviolentdeath
Theyhavebeenviolenttomeandmine.
TAMORA
Wellhastthoulessonedusthisshallwedo.5.2.110
Butwoulditpleasethee,goodAndronicus,
TosendforLucius,thythricevaliantson,
WholeadstowardsRomeabandofwarlikeGoths,
Andbidhimcomeandbanquetatthyhouse?
Whenheishere,evenatthysolemnfeast,
Iwillbringintheempressandhersons,
Theemperorhimself,andallthyfoes,
Andatthymercyshalltheystoopandkneel,
Andonthemshaltthoueasethyangryheart.
WhatsaysAndronicustothisdevice?5.2.120
TITUS
Marcus,mybrother!'TissadTituscalls!
[EnterMARCUS]
Go,gentleMarcus,tothynephewLucius
ThoushaltinquirehimoutamongtheGoths
Bidhimrepairtome,andbringwithhim
SomeofthechiefestprincesoftheGoths;
Bidhimencamphissoldierswheretheyare,
Tellhimtheemperorandtheempresstoo
Feastatmyhouse,andheshallfeastwiththem.
Thisdothouformylove,andsolethim,
Asheregardshisagdfather'slife.5.2.130
MARCUS
ThiswillIdo,andsoonreturnagain.
[Exit]
TAMORA
NowwillIhenceaboutthybusiness,
Andtakemyministersalongwithme.
TITUS
Nay,nay,letRapeandMurderstaywithme,
OrelseI'llcallmybrotherbackagain,
AndcleavetonorevengebutLucius.
5
[come]
TAMORA
[Asidetothem]Whatsayyou,boys?Willyouabidewithhim,
WhilesIgotellmylordtheemperor
HowIhavegovernedourdeterminedjest? [managed; planned hoax]
Yieldtohishumour,smoothandspeakhimfair,5.2.140 [Humourhim]
AndtarrywithhimtillIcomeagain.
[stay]
TITUS
[Aside]Iknewthemall,thoughtheysupposememad,
Andwillo'erreachthemintheirowndevices
Apairofcursdhellhoundsandtheirdam!
[mother]
DEMETRIUS
Madam,departatpleasureleaveushere.
TAMORA
Farewell,Andronicus.Revengenowgoes
Tolayacomplottobetraythyfoes.
TITUS
Iknowthoudostand,sweetRevenge,farewell!
[ExitTAMORA]
CHIRON
Tellus,oldman,howshallwebeemployed?
TITUS
Tut,Ihaveworkenoughforyoutodo.5.2.150
Publius,comehither!Caius,andValentine!
[EnterPUBLIUSandothers]
PUBLIUS
Whatisyourwill?
TITUS
Knowyouthesetwo?
[setaplan]
PUBLIUS
Theempress'sons,ItakethemChiron,Demetrius.
TITUS
Fie,Publius,fie!Thouarttoomuchdeceived:
TheoneisMurder,Rapeistheother'sname.
Andthereforebindthem,gentlePublius
CaiusandValentine,layhandsonthem!
Ofthaveyouheardmewishforsuchanhour,
AndnowIfindit.Thereforebindthemsure,5.2.160
Andstoptheirmouthsiftheybegintocry.
[ExitTITUS.PUBLIUS&c.layhandsonCHIRONandDEMETRIUS]
CHIRON
Villains,forbear!Wearetheempress'sons.
PUBLIUS
Andthereforedowewhatwearecommanded.
Stopclosetheirmouths,letthemnotspeakaword.
Ishesurebound?Lookthatyoubindthemfast!
[ReenterTITUSANDRONICUS,withLAVINIA;hebearingaknifeand
sheabasin]
TITUS
Come,come,Lavinialook,thyfoesarebound.
Sirs,stoptheirmouths,letthemnotspeaktome,
ButletthemhearwhatfearfulwordsIutter.
Ovillains,ChironandDemetrius!
Herestandsthespringwhomyouhavestainedwithmud,5.2.170
Thisgoodlysummerwithyourwintermixed.
Youkilledherhusband,andforthatvilefault
Twoofherbrotherswerecondemnedtodeath,
Myhandcutoffandmadeamerryjest.
Bothhersweethands,hertongue,andthat,moredear
Thanhandsortongue,herspotlesschastity,
Inhumantraitors,youconstrainedandforced.
Whatwouldyousay,ifIshouldletyouspeak?
Villains,forshameyoucouldnotbegforgrace.
Hark,wretches!HowImeantomartyryou.5.2.180
Thisonehandyetislefttocutyourthroats,
WhilesthatLavinia'tweenherstumpsdothhold
Thebasinthatreceivesyourguiltyblood.
Youknowyourmothermeanstofeastwithme,
AndcallsherselfRevenge,andthinksmemad.
Hark,villains,Iwillgrindyourbonestodust,
AndwithyourbloodanditI'llmakeapaste;
AndofthepasteacoffinIwillrear,
[piecrust;raise]
Andmaketwopastiesofyourshamefulheads;
Andbidthatstrumpet,yourunhalloweddam,5.2.190[tart;unholymother]
Liketotheearth,swallowherownincrease.
[offspring]
ThisisthefeastthatIhavebidherto,
Andthisthebanquetsheshallsurfeiton;
[fillherselfwith]
ForworsethanPhilomelyouusedmydaughter,
AndworsethanProcneIwillberevenged:
Andnowprepareyourthroats.Lavinia,come
[Hecutstheirthroats]
Receivetheblood;andwhenthattheyaredead,
Letmegogrindtheirbonestopowdersmall,
Andwiththishatefulliquortemperit;
Andinthatpastelettheirvileheadsbebaked.5.2.200
Come,come,beeveryoneofficious
[diligent]
Tomakethisbanquet,whichIwishmayprove
MoresternandbloodythantheCentaurs'feast.
[severe]
So,nowbringthemin,forIwillplaythecook,
Andseethemreadyagainsttheirmothercomes.
[bythetime]
[Exeunt, bearing the dead bodies]
ACT5SCENE3
Rome.APavilioninTITUS'SGardens,withtables,&c.
[Thisisthefinalscene.LuciusandtheGothsare
inRome.Nowcompletelymad,Titus(dressed
asachef!)servesuphisgrislymeal,resultingina
spateofkillingswhichleavesmostofthe
principalcharactersdead.TheGothsoldiers
invadethestagetorestoreorderwhileTituss
survivingfamilygoalofttoexplainthingstothe
Romanpeople,whowelcomeLuciusasthenew
emperor.Luciusthenhasthefinalword.
CLASSICALREFERENCES.Titusinhismadnessdemonstratesthefollyofthe
Romanoverdependenceontheirownwrittentradition(asopposed
tofeelingtemperedbycommonsense)byputtingintopracticalterms
SaturninusstheoreticalinterpretationofthestoryofVirginia.She
wasthedaughterofVirginius,whokilledherwithaknifetopreserve
whatwasleftofherchastityaftertheviolentattentionsofoneofthe
rulingmagistrates,AppiusClaudius.Appiuswasseizedbythemob,
butcommittedsuicide,andtheruleofthetyrannicalmagistrateswas
ended.
SinonpretendedtobeaGreekdeserterintheTrojanWar,and
persuadedtheTrojanstotakeintheWoodenHorse.Forthe
referencetoDido,seetheintroductionto3.2.
POINTSOFINTEREST.Itwouldntbearevengetragedywithoutastage
litteredwithbodiesattheend,andhere,asinHamlet,Shakespeare
doesnotdisappoint.Despitetherestorationoforderandthepromise
ofanewregime,thepresenceofanewsetofGothsandperhaps
evenanewAaronwithinthewallsofRome,doesnotbodewellfor
theEmpire.
ThiseditionisalmostuniqueinusingtheendingfromtheFirstFolio,
withsomeemendation;sincethediscoveryofthe1594editionlast
centuryeditorsalmostuniversallyreproduceitsTamoracentred
closinglines.Itissuggestedthatreaderslookatbothandmakeup
theirownmindsonthematter.]
127
[EnterLUCIUS,MARCUS,andGOTHS,withAARONprisoner]
LUCIUS
UncleMarcus,since'tismyfather'smind
ThatIrepairtoRome,Iamcontent.
[return]
FIRSTGOTH
Andourswiththine,befallwhatfortunewill.
[werewithyou]
LUCIUS
Gooduncle,takeyouinthisbarbarousMoor,
Thisravenoustiger,thisaccurseddevil.
Lethimreceivenosustenance,fetterhim,
Tillhebebroughtuntotheempress'face
Fortestimonyofherfoulproceedings.
Andseetheambushofourfriendsbestrong
Ifeartheemperormeansnogoodtous.5.3.10
AARON
Somedevilwhispercursesinmyear,
Andpromptmethatmytonguemayutterforth
Thevenomousmaliceofmyswellingheart!
LUCIUS
Away,inhumandog,unhallowedslave!
Sirs,helpouruncletoconveyhimin.
[ExeuntGOTHSwithAARONFlourishwithin.Thetrumpetsshowthe
emperorisathand]
[EnterSATURNINUSandTAMORA,withAEMILIUS,Tribunes,Senators,
andothers]
SATURNINUS
What,haththefirmamentmoresunsthanone?
LUCIUS
Whatbootsittheetocallthyselfthesun?[useisityounow(patronizing)]
MARCUS
Rome'semperor,andnephew,breaktheparley:
[startthetalks]
5.3.20
Thesequarrelsmustbequietlydebated.
Thefeastisready,whichthecarefulTitus
[or,fullofcares]
Hathordainedtoanhonourableend,
[organized]
Forpeace,forlove,forleague,andgoodtoRome:
Pleaseyou,therefore,drawnighandtakeyourplaces.
SATURNINUS
Marcus,wewill.
[Hautboyssound.Thecompanysitattable]
[EnterTITUS,dressedlikeacook,LAVINIA,veiled,YOUNGLUCIUS,
andothers.TITUSplacesthedishesonthetable]
TITUS
Welcome,mylord;welcome,dreadqueen;
Welcome,yewarlikeGoths;welcome,Lucius;
[foodismodest]
Andwelcomeall.Althoughthecheerbepoor,
'Twillfillyourstomachs.Pleaseyoueatofit.
SATURNINUS
Whyartthouthusattired,Andronicus?5.3.30
[dressedlikethat]
TITUS
BecauseIwouldbesuretohaveallwell
Toentertainyourhighnessandyourempress.
TAMORA
Wearebeholdentoyou,goodAndronicus.
[obliged]
TITUS
Anifyourhighnessknewmyheart,youwere.
[wouldbe]
Mylordtheemperor,resolvemethis:
WasitwelldoneofrashVirginius
Toslayhisdaughterwithhisownrighthand,
Becauseshewasenforced,stained,anddeflowered?
SATURNINUS
Itwas,Andronicus.
TITUS
Yourreason,mightylord?
SATURNINUS
Becausethegirlshouldnotsurvivehershame,5.3.40
Andbyherpresencestillrenewhissorrows.
TITUS
Areasonmighty,strong,andeffectual;
Apattern,precedent,andlivelywarrant
Forme,mostwretched,toperformthelike.
Die,die,Lavinia,andthyshamewiththee,
[KillsLAVINIA]
Andwiththyshamethyfather'ssorrowdie!
SATURNINUS
Whathastthoudone,unnaturalandunkind?
TITUS
Killedherforwhommytearshavemademeblind.
IamaswoefulasVirginiuswas,
Andhaveathousandtimesmorecausethanhe5.3.50
Todothisoutrageanditnowisdone.
SATURNINUS
What,wassheravished?Tellwhodidthedeed.
TITUS
Will'tpleaseyoueat?Will'tpleaseyourhighnessfeed?
TAMORA
Whyhastthouslainthineonlydaughterthus?
TITUS
NotI'twasChironandDemetrius.
Theyravishedher,andcutawayhertongue,
Andthey,'twasthey,thatdidherallthiswrong.
SATURNINUS
Go,fetchthemhithertouspresently.
[immediately]
TITUS
Why,theretheyare,bothbakdinthatpie,
3
Whereoftheirmotherdaintilyhathfed,5.3.60
[delightfully]
Eatingthefleshthatsheherselfhathbred.
'Tistrue,'tistruewitnessmyknife'ssharppoint.
[KillsTAMORA]
SATURNINUS
Die,franticwretch,forthisaccurseddeed!
[KillsTITUS]
LUCIUS
Cantheson'seyebeholdhisfatherbleed?
There'smeedformeed,deathforadeadlydeed.
[titfortat]
[KillsSATURNINUS.Agreattumult.LUCIUS,MARCUS,andtheir
partisans,ascendthestepsbeforeTITUS'Shouse]
MARCUS
Yousadfacedmen,peopleandsonsofRome
Byuproarsevered,asaflightoffowl
Scatteredbywindsandhightempestuousgusts
Oletmeteachyouhowtoknitagain
Thisscatteredcornintoonemutualsheaf,5.3.70
Thesebrokenlimbsagainintoonebody,
LestRomeherselfbebaneuntoherself,
[poison]
Andshewhommightykingdomscurtsyto,
Likeaforlornanddesperatecastaway,
Doshamefulexecutiononherself.
Butifmyfrostysignsandchapsofage,
[wrinkles]
Gravewitnessesoftrueexperience,
Cannotinduceyoutoattendmywords,
[ToLucius]Speak,Rome'sdearfriend,aserstourancestor, [once]
Whenwithhissolemntonguehediddiscourse5.3.80
[tell]
TolovesickDido'ssadattendingear
Thestoryofthatbalefulburningnight,
WhensubtleGreekssurprisedKingPriam'sTroy.
TelluswhatSinonhathbewitchedourears,
Orwhohathbroughtthefatalenginein
ThatgivesourTroy,ourRome,thecivilwound.
Myheartisnotcompactofflintnorsteel,
[compounded]
NorcanIutterallourbittergrief,
4
Butfloodsoftearswilldrownmyoratory
Andbreakmyveryutterance,eveninthetime5.3.90
Whenitshouldmoveyoutoattendmemost,
Lendingyourkindcommiseration.
Hereisacaptain,lethimtellthetale:
Yourheartswillthrobandweeptohearhimspeak.
LUCIUS
Then,nobleauditory,beitknowntoyou
ThatcursdChironandDemetrius
Weretheythatmurderedouremperor'sbrother,
Andtheyitwerethatravishedoursister.
Fortheirfellfaultsourbrotherswerebeheaded,
Ourfather'stearsdespised,andbaselycozened5.3.100
OfthattruehandthatfoughtRome'squarrelout
Andsentherenemiesuntothegrave.
Lastly,myselfunkindlybanishd,
Thegatesshutonme,andturnedweepingout,
TobegreliefamongRome'senemies,
Whodrownedtheirenmityinmytruetears,
Andopedtheirarmstoembracemeasafriend.
Iamtheturnedforth,beitknowntoyou,
Thathavepreservedherwelfareinmyblood,
Andfromherbosomtooktheenemy'spoint,5.3.110
Sheathingthesteelinmyadventurousbody.
Alas!YouknowIamnovaunter,I
Myscarscanwitness,dumbalthoughtheyare,
Thatmyreportisjustandfulloftruth.
But,soft!MethinksIdodigresstoomuch,
Citingmyworthlesspraise.O,pardonme,
Forwhennofriendsareby,menpraisethemselves.
MARCUS
Nowismyturntospeak.Beholdthechild
[PointingtotheCHILDinanAttendant'sarms]
OfthiswasTamoradelivered,
TheissueofanirreligiousMoor,5.3.120
Chiefarchitectandplotterofthesewoes.
ThevillainisaliveinTitus'house,
Damnedasheis,towitnessthisistrue.
5
[audience]
[cruel]
[tricked]
[outcast]
[boaster]
NowjudgewhatcausehadTitustorevenge
Thesewrongsunspeakable,pastpatience,
Ormorethananylivingmancouldbear.
Nowhaveyouheardthetruth,whatsayyou,Romans?
Havewedoneaughtamiss?Showuswherein,
And,fromtheplacewhereyoubeholdusnow,
ThepoorremainderofAndronici5.3.130
Will,handinhand,allheadlongcastusdown,
Andontheraggdstonesbeatforthourbrains,
Andmakeamutualclosureofourhouse.
[commonend]
Speak,Romans,speakandifyousayweshall,
Lo,handinhand,LuciusandIwillfall.
AEMILIUS
Come,come,thoureverendmanofRome,
Andbringouremperorgentlyinthyhand,
Luciusouremperor;forwellIknow
Thecommonvoicedocryitshallbeso.
ROMANS
[Severalspeak]Lucius,allhail,Rome'sroyalemperor!5.3.140
MARCUS
Go,gointooldTitus'sorrowfulhouse,
[Toattendants,whogointothehouse]
AndhitherhalethatmisbelievingMoor
[bringhere]
Tobeadjudgedsomedirefulslaughteringdeath,
Aspunishmentforhismostwickedlife.
[LUCIUS,MARCUS,&c.descend]
ROMANS
[Severalspeak]Lucius,allhail,Rome'sgraciousgovernor!
LUCIUS
Thanks,gentleRomans.MayIgovernso
TohealRome'sharmsandwipeawayherwoe!
But,gentlepeople,givemeaimawhile,
[helpguideme]
Fornatureputsmetoaheavytask.
Standallaloof;but,uncle,drawyounear,5.3.150
[apart]
6
Toshedobsequioustearsuponthistrunk. [tears of mourning]

O,takethiswarmkissonthypalecoldlips.
[KissesTITUS]
Thesesorrowfuldropsuponthybloodstainedface,
Thelasttruedutiesofthynobleson!
MARCUS
Tearfortearandlovingkissforkiss
ThybrotherMarcustendersonthylips.
O,werethesumofthesethatIshouldpay
Countlessandinfinite,yetwouldIpaythem!
LUCIUS
Comehither,boy.Come,come,andlearnofus
Tomeltinshowers.Thygrandsirelovedtheewell:5.3.160
Manyatimehedancedtheeonhisknee,
Sungtheeasleep,hislovingbreastthypillow.
Manyamatterhathhetoldtothee,
Meetandagreeingwiththineinfancy.
[suitablefor]
Inthatrespect,then,likealovingchild,
Shedyetsomesmalldropsfromthytenderspring,
Becausekindnaturedothrequireitso
Friendsshouldassociatefriendsingriefandwoe.
Bidhimfarewell,commithimtothegrave;
Dohimthatkindness,andtakeleaveofhim.5.3.170
YOUNGLUCIUS
Ograndsire,grandsire!Evenwithallmyheart
WouldIweredead,soyoudidliveagain!
OLord,Icannotspeaktohimforweeping
Mytearswillchokeme,ifIopemymouth.
[ReenterattendantswithAARON]
AEMILIUS
YousadAndronici,havedonewithwoes
Givesentenceontheexecrablewretch,
Thathathbeenbreederofthesedireevents.
LUCIUS
Sethimbreastdeepinearth,andfamishhim.
Therelethimstandandraveandcryforfood.
Ifanyonerelievesorpitieshim,5.3.180
Fortheoffencehedies.Thisisourdoom.
[judgement]
Somestaytoseehimfastenedintheearth.
AARON
Ah,whyshouldwrathbemuteandfurydumb?
Iamnobaby,I,thatwithbaseprayers
IshouldrepenttheevilsIhavedone.
TenthousandworsethaneveryetIdid
WouldIperform,ifImighthavemywill.
IfonegooddeedinallmylifeIdid,
Idorepentitfrommyverysoul.
LUCIUS
Somelovingfriendsconveytheemperorhence,5.3.190
Andgivehimburialinhisfather'sgrave.
MyfatherandLaviniashallforthwith
Beclosedinourhousehold'smonument.
[tomb]
Asforthatravenoustiger,Tamora,
Nofuneralrite,normaninmournfulweeds,
Nomournfulbellshallringherburial;
Butthrowherforthtobeastsandbirdsofprey.
*Herlifewasbeastlike,devoidofpiety;
And,beingso,shallhavelikewantofpity.
SeejusticedoneonAaron,thatdamnedMoor,5.3.200
Bywhomourheavyhapshadtheirbeginning:
Then,afterwards,toorderwellthestate,
Thatlikeeventsmayne'eritruinate.
[Exeunt]

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Titus Andronicus Introduction

Titus Andronicus Introduction

Titus Andronicus Introduction

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