writing “
Stuprum
[“rape” in Latin], Chiron, Demetrius.” The image is a rather grotesque, almost blackly comic advance on the tale in Ovid in which Philomel, who kept her hands, sewed the name of her attacker in a sampler. Titus and Marcus vow a bloody revenge but Titus urges caution, as Tamora still has influence over “the lion” Saturninus. He warns Marcus to stay out of what will ensue, and gives Young Lucius some weapons from his armory to deliver to Chiron and Demetrius as a gift.
ACT 4 SCENE 2
Young Lucius delivers the weapons along with a scroll bearing a quote from Horace, which translates as “The man of upright life and free from crime does not need the javelins or bows of the Moor.” It means nothing to the foolish young Goths, but Aaron privately understands the message’s meaning: “The old man hath found their guilt.” A Nurse enters carrying the lovechild of Aaron and Tamora, ordering Aaron to kill the “dismal, black, and sorrowful issue.” He refuses, drawing his sword upon the advancing Chiron and Demetrius,and threatening: “He dies upon my scimitar’s sharp point / That touches this my first-born son and heir.” After establishing that only the Nurse, Tamora, and a midwife knew of the child, Aaron kills the Nurse, and Chiron and Demetrius declare allegiance with him for keeping their mother’s secret safe. Aaron resolves to return to the camp of the Goths to protect his son.
ACT 4 SCENE 3
Titus enters with Marcus, Marcus’ son Publius, Young Lucius, and other kinsmen. Titus has a sheaf of arrows with letters tied to them detailing Saturninus’ crimes which he orders his companions to send to the gods in the sky with their bows. Everyone fears for Titus’ sanity, and Marcus tells them all to shoot their messages over the palace walls so that they may have some real effect. A Clown enters, on his way to the court to try and settle a private dispute, and Titus mistakes him for a god. Titus gives the Clown a letter for Saturninus, promising him a reward if he delivers it along with the pigeons he is carrying. The Clown agrees.
ACT 4 SCENE 4
Saturninus, incensed by Titus’ messages, receives the Clown into his presence. Upon reading the letter he brings, Saturninus orders the Clown to be hanged. Emillius, a messenger, then brings word that Lucius and the Goths intend to attack Rome. Saturninus fears that the people will not support him as they hold Lucius dear, but Tamora sends Emillius to summon Lucius to Titus’ home for peace talks. In the meantime, Tamora resolves to go to Titus, who she thinks mad, to try to manipulate him into ensuring Lucius attends the summit, hinting that it will be “dangerous” for the Andronici to believe her “sweet” words.
ACT 5 SCENE 1
In the camp of the Goths, Lucius says he has received letters importing the Roman people’s support for him and hatred of Saturninus.The Goths state how proud they are to fight alongside so noble and brave a former adversary, and one enters with Aaron and the child captive, saying he found them in a ruined monastery (an anachronism that betrays the play’s Elizabethan origins). Lucius orders them to be hanged, but Aaron swears to reveal secrets if the child is spared. Lucius gives his word and Aaron uncovers all Chiron’s, Demetrius’, Tamora’s, and his own villainies against the Andronici, as well as revealing Tamora as the child’s mother. He also admits to many other terrible deeds he has committed in his life, and expresses sorrow that he “cannot do ten thousand more.” Lucius orders Aaron to be taken down, as hanging is too “sweet” a death for him. Emillius arrives and requests that Lucius meet Saturninus at Titus’ house. Lucius agrees.
ACT 5 SCENE 2
Tamora, Chiron, and Demetrius, believing Titus to be mad, go to his house disguised as the deities Revenge, Rape, and Murder. In a blackly comic moment Titus notes of the latter two “how like the empress’ sons they are.” Tamora (as Revenge)
Stuprum
[“rape” in Latin], Chiron, Demetrius.” The image is a rather grotesque, almost blackly comic advance on the tale in Ovid in which Philomel, who kept her hands, sewed the name of her attacker in a sampler. Titus and Marcus vow a bloody revenge but Titus urges caution, as Tamora still has influence over “the lion” Saturninus. He warns Marcus to stay out of what will ensue, and gives Young Lucius some weapons from his armory to deliver to Chiron and Demetrius as a gift.
ACT 4 SCENE 2
Young Lucius delivers the weapons along with a scroll bearing a quote from Horace, which translates as “The man of upright life and free from crime does not need the javelins or bows of the Moor.” It means nothing to the foolish young Goths, but Aaron privately understands the message’s meaning: “The old man hath found their guilt.” A Nurse enters carrying the lovechild of Aaron and Tamora, ordering Aaron to kill the “dismal, black, and sorrowful issue.” He refuses, drawing his sword upon the advancing Chiron and Demetrius,and threatening: “He dies upon my scimitar’s sharp point / That touches this my first-born son and heir.” After establishing that only the Nurse, Tamora, and a midwife knew of the child, Aaron kills the Nurse, and Chiron and Demetrius declare allegiance with him for keeping their mother’s secret safe. Aaron resolves to return to the camp of the Goths to protect his son.
ACT 4 SCENE 3
Titus enters with Marcus, Marcus’ son Publius, Young Lucius, and other kinsmen. Titus has a sheaf of arrows with letters tied to them detailing Saturninus’ crimes which he orders his companions to send to the gods in the sky with their bows. Everyone fears for Titus’ sanity, and Marcus tells them all to shoot their messages over the palace walls so that they may have some real effect. A Clown enters, on his way to the court to try and settle a private dispute, and Titus mistakes him for a god. Titus gives the Clown a letter for Saturninus, promising him a reward if he delivers it along with the pigeons he is carrying. The Clown agrees.
ACT 4 SCENE 4
Saturninus, incensed by Titus’ messages, receives the Clown into his presence. Upon reading the letter he brings, Saturninus orders the Clown to be hanged. Emillius, a messenger, then brings word that Lucius and the Goths intend to attack Rome. Saturninus fears that the people will not support him as they hold Lucius dear, but Tamora sends Emillius to summon Lucius to Titus’ home for peace talks. In the meantime, Tamora resolves to go to Titus, who she thinks mad, to try to manipulate him into ensuring Lucius attends the summit, hinting that it will be “dangerous” for the Andronici to believe her “sweet” words.
ACT 5 SCENE 1
In the camp of the Goths, Lucius says he has received letters importing the Roman people’s support for him and hatred of Saturninus.The Goths state how proud they are to fight alongside so noble and brave a former adversary, and one enters with Aaron and the child captive, saying he found them in a ruined monastery (an anachronism that betrays the play’s Elizabethan origins). Lucius orders them to be hanged, but Aaron swears to reveal secrets if the child is spared. Lucius gives his word and Aaron uncovers all Chiron’s, Demetrius’, Tamora’s, and his own villainies against the Andronici, as well as revealing Tamora as the child’s mother. He also admits to many other terrible deeds he has committed in his life, and expresses sorrow that he “cannot do ten thousand more.” Lucius orders Aaron to be taken down, as hanging is too “sweet” a death for him. Emillius arrives and requests that Lucius meet Saturninus at Titus’ house. Lucius agrees.
ACT 5 SCENE 2
Tamora, Chiron, and Demetrius, believing Titus to be mad, go to his house disguised as the deities Revenge, Rape, and Murder. In a blackly comic moment Titus notes of the latter two “how like the empress’ sons they are.” Tamora (as Revenge)
Similar Books
