# Scene III explained — Titus Andronicus

> Chapter companion for Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

In the final scene, Titus hosts a banquet where he reveals the deaths of Chiron and Demetrius, kills Lavinia and Tamora, and is himself killed by Saturninus, who is then killed by Lucius. Lucius is proclaimed emperor, orders Aaron's execution, and restores order to Rome.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revenge and Retribution

Titus exacts final revenge by killing Tamora and her sons, and Lucius avenges his father.

### Violence and Brutality

The scene culminates in multiple murders, including the killing of Lavinia and the cannibalistic pie.

### Justice and Injustice

Lucius imposes sentences on Aaron and Tamora, seeking to restore justice to Rome.

### Family and Loyalty

Lucius and Marcus mourn Titus, and Young Lucius weeps for his grandfather, highlighting family bonds.

## Character check-ins

### Titus Andronicus

Dressed as a cook, he serves the banquet, kills Lavinia and Tamora, and is slain by Saturninus.

### Lucius

Returns with Goths and Aaron, kills Saturninus, and is hailed as the new emperor.

### Marcus Andronicus

Attempts to calm the Romans and later supports Lucius as emperor.

### Aaron

Captured and brought before the court; sentenced to be starved to death.

### Saturninus

Attends the banquet, kills Titus, and is killed by Lucius.

### Tamora

Eats the pie containing her sons' flesh, then is killed by Titus.

### Lavinia

Killed by her father Titus to end her shame.

### Young Lucius

Weeps over his grandfather's body, expressing grief.

## Key lines

> Die, die, Lavinia, and thy shame with thee;

Titus kills Lavinia to end her dishonor.

_Titus justifies the murder as an act of honor._

> Why, there they are both, baked in that pie; Whereof their mother daintily hath fed,

Titus reveals that Tamora has unknowingly eaten her sons baked in a pie.

_The ultimate act of revenge and horror._

> Set him breast-deep in earth, and famish him;

Lucius orders Aaron to be buried up to his chest and starved.

_Aaron's punishment for his role in the tragedies._

## Links

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