Titus Andronicus Annotated Book
Description:... The Roman emperor is dead, and his sons, Saturninus and Bassianus, are agitating over who will take over the position. Saturninus declares that it is his right by primogeniture, while Bassianus declares that he deserves the throne because he has greater merit. Their bickering is interrupted by the announcement that the Roman citizens have elected the general, Titus Andronicus, newly returned from a victorious war against the Goths, as their new emperor. On that note, Titus arrives bearing the bodies of his dead sons - of his original twenty-five he has lost twenty-one in battle - as well as his Goth prisoners.The prisoners include the queen of the Goths, Tamora, and her three sons: Alarbus, Chiron, and Demetrius. Titus orders that Alarbus be sacrificed as a gift to the Roman gods, despite the heartfelt pleading of Tamora that he spare her eldest son. He then entombs his sons and greets his daughter, Lavinia. Marcus, his brother, informs Titus that he has been made emperor. Titus, however, declines the honor and declares Saturninus emperor. Saturninus' first imperial act is to claim Lavinia for his bride, despite of the fact that Lavinia is betrothed to Bassianus. Titus agrees to the marriage, but Bassianus steals Lavinia from Saturninus' side, claiming his just right to her. When Titus' remaining sons and brother defend Bassianus' right as well, Titus is appalled and declares them traitors. He even kills one of his sons, Mutius, who stands up to him. Saturninus is aghast and blames Titus as well as his family for the loss of Lavinia; he is somewhat ameliorated, however, by the sight of Tamora, whom he is instantly smitten with and so marries instead. Thus made empress, Tamora begs Saturninus to forgive Titus and the Andronici, meanwhile secretly promising to have her revenge on them for the sacrifice of Alarbus. After their reconciliation, the Andronici and the emperor plan to hunt together the following day.
Show description