# Scene II explained — Titus Andronicus

> Chapter companion for Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

In a forest near Rome, Titus Andronicus leads a hunt with his sons and Marcus. The emperor Saturninus, Tamora, Bassianus, Lavinia, and others join. Demetrius and Chiron hint at their predatory intentions toward Lavinia.

## Themes in this chapter

### Violence and Brutality

The hunt serves as a metaphor for predatory violence, with Demetrius and Chiron plotting to 'pluck a dainty doe'—Lavinia.

### Power and Political Intrigue

The hunt gathers the key political figures, setting the stage for manipulation and betrayal.

## Character check-ins

### Titus Andronicus

Leads the hunt, expresses troubled sleep but renewed comfort at dawn.

### Marcus Andronicus

Boasts of his dogs' prowess in the hunt.

### Lucius

Present among the hunters, attending the emperor.

### Quintus

Present among the hunters.

### Martius

Present among the hunters.

### Saturninus

Joins the hunt with Tamora, comments on the early hour for new-married ladies.

### Tamora

Accompanies Saturninus as his bride, observes the Roman hunting.

### Bassianus

Present with Lavinia, engages her in conversation.

### Lavinia

States she has been awake for two hours, accompanies Bassianus.

### Demetrius

Hints at a predatory intent toward Lavinia, using hunting metaphor.

### Chiron

Present with Demetrius, shares in the predatory allusion.

## Key lines

> The hunt is up, the morn is bright and grey, The fields are fragrant and the woods are green

The hunt has begun; the morning is bright and overcast, the fields smell sweet, and the woods are lush.

_Titus sets a cheerful tone for the hunt, contrasting with the dark events to come._

> Chiron, we hunt not, we, with horse nor hound, But hope to pluck a dainty doe to ground.

Chiron, we are not hunting with horses or dogs; we aim to catch a delicate deer and bring her down.

_Demetrius uses hunting imagery to reveal their plan to rape Lavinia._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/titus_andronicus_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/titus_andronicus_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/titus_andronicus_se/chapters