Titus Andronicus · Chapter
Scene I explained
Aaron celebrates Tamora's rise to empress and plots to advance his own position.
What happens
Aaron celebrates Tamora's rise to empress and plots to advance his own position. He intervenes in a quarrel between Demetrius and Chiron over Lavinia, persuading them to set aside their rivalry and instead collaborate on a plan to rape her during a hunting party, with Tamora's support.
Themes in this chapter
Violence and Brutality
Aaron explicitly plans the rape of Lavinia as a 'rape and villany' to be executed in the forest, framing violence as strategic.
Power and Politics
Tamora's ascent to empress and Aaron's manipulation of the brothers' rivalry demonstrate how political power enables personal vendettas.
Family and Loyalty
The brothers' initial conflict over Lavinia is resolved by Aaron into a pact, subverting fraternal loyalty to serve shared lust.
Characters to notice
- Aaron
Revels in Tamora's imperial ascent and resolves to serve her; brokers peace between Demetrius and Chiron by proposing a joint rape of Lavinia.
- Tamora
Described by Aaron as newly elevated empress, 'Semiramis' and 'siren'; her wit and influence are to be enlisted in the plot.
- Demetrius
Quarrels with Chiron over Lavinia, claiming elder brother's right; agrees to Aaron's stratagem to rape her.
- Chiron
Defies Demetrius for Lavinia's love; persuaded by Aaron to join forces with his brother for the rape.
- Lavinia
Object of the brothers' lust; Aaron compares her to Lucrece and targets her for rape.
- Bassianus
Mentioned as Lavinia's husband and the emperor's brother, whose claim is to be circumvented.
- Saturninus
Referenced as the emperor whom Tamora will charm and whose commonweal will be shipwrecked.
Key passages
“Now climbeth Tamora Olympus’ top, Safe out of fortune’s shot; and sits aloft, Secure of thunder’s crack or lightning flash; Advanced above pale envy’s threatening reach.”
Tamora has risen to the highest power, beyond the reach of fate or jealousy.
Aaron celebrates Tamora's secure position as empress.
“The woods are ruthless, dreadful, deaf, and dull; There speak, and strike, brave boys, and take your turns; There serve your lusts, shadow’d from heaven’s eye, And revel in Lavinia’s treasury.”
The forest is a lawless place where you can satisfy your desires unseen.
Aaron urges the brothers to rape Lavinia in the woods, away from courtly eyes.