# Scene IV explained — Titus Andronicus

> Chapter companion for Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Demetrius and Chiron mock the mutilated Lavinia, leaving her alone in the forest. Marcus discovers her, horrified, and laments her brutalized state, comparing her suffering to that of Philomela.

## Themes in this chapter

### Violence and Brutality

The graphic mutilation of Lavinia—her hands cut off and tongue cut out—exemplifies extreme physical brutality.

### Madness and Grief

Marcus's lament and his wish for eternal sleep reflect the overwhelming grief and madness induced by Lavinia's suffering.

## Character check-ins

### Demetrius

Mocks Lavinia after raping and mutilating her.

### Chiron

Accompanies Demetrius in taunting Lavinia.

### Lavinia

Found by Marcus, her hands cut off and tongue cut out, unable to speak or write.

### Marcus Andronicus

Discovers Lavinia and delivers a sorrowful lament over her condition.

## Key lines

> So, now go tell, an if thy tongue can speak, Who ’twas that cut thy tongue and ravish’d thee.

Now try to tell, if your tongue can speak, who cut it out and raped you.

_Demetrius cruelly taunts Lavinia, knowing she cannot speak._

> Fair Philomela, she but lost her tongue, And in a tedious sampler sew’d her mind: But, lovely niece, that mean is cut from thee;

Beautiful Philomela only lost her tongue, and she sewed her story into a tapestry; but you, dear niece, have lost even that means.

_Marcus compares Lavinia's plight to Philomela's, noting that Lavinia cannot even write to reveal her attackers._

## Links

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