# Scene III explained — Titus Andronicus

> Chapter companion for Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Titus, in a state of distracted grief, leads his kinsmen in a symbolic hunt for justice by shooting arrows carrying petitions to the gods. He sends a clown with a letter and pigeons to the emperor, hoping for redress.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Injustice

Titus's futile quest for justice, shooting arrows to the gods and sending a clown to the emperor, underscores the absence of justice in Rome.

### Madness and Grief

Titus's erratic behavior and symbolic actions reveal his grief-driven distraction, bordering on madness.

## Character check-ins

### Titus Andronicus

Distracted by grief, he orchestrates a mock hunt for justice, shooting arrows to the gods and sending a clown to the emperor.

### Marcus Andronicus

Participates in Titus's scheme and suggests joining with the Goths for revenge.

### Young Lucius

Assists Titus with archery, shooting an arrow into Virgo's lap.

### Publius

Attends Titus and reports Pluto's message about Revenge and Justice.

### Clown

Delivers Titus's pigeons and supplication to the emperor, misunderstanding the errand.

## Key lines

> Terras Astraea reliquit: Be you remember’d, Marcus, she’s gone, she’s fled.

The goddess of justice has left the earth; remember, Marcus, she is gone.

_Titus laments the departure of justice from the world._

> And, sith there’s no justice in earth nor hell, We will solicit heaven and move the gods To send down Justice for to wreak our wrongs.

Since there is no justice on earth or in hell, we will appeal to heaven and ask the gods to send down Justice to avenge our wrongs.

_Titus decides to petition the gods directly for justice._

## Links

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