Marcus Andronicus 'Metamorphoses': Play Analysis

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The play opens with Saturninus and Bassianus vying for the people of Rome to have them as their leader. Marcus Andronicus enters, saying that the citizens should choose Titus Andronicus, his brother. Titus, a Roman general, arrives at Rome, returning from a war with the Goths, a tribe of East Germanic people. He has captured Tamora, Queen of the Goths, her three sons, Alburus, Demetrius, and Chiron, and Aaron the Moor, her lover. He has some of followers bring in a black coffin filled with his family’s remains. At this point, twenty-one out of Titus’ twenty-five sons have passed due to the war between the Goths and Rome. He sacrifices Tamora’s eldest son, Alarbus, to the gods in honour of his that have passed. Then, the tribunes call upon Titus …show more content…
Lavinia shows young Lucius, Marcus, and Titus a book. It is Ovid’s “Metamorphoses”. Lavinia tries to turn it to a specific page, and Titus helps. They read the poem and realize that Lavinia is trying to tell them that she was raped. They asked who did so. Lavinia takes a staff in her mouth and writes Chiron and Demetrius’ names in the sand. Titus sends young Lucius to deliver a message to Chiron and Demetrius. They read the message, a line from Horace. Aaron realizes that their faults have been discovered. Then, a nurse brings in a small “blackamoor” baby (Shakespeare 59). The nurse tells Aaron that Tamora has given birth to the baby, shaming all of Rome. Everyone tries to kill the child, but Aaron stops them. Aaron kills the nurse and tells Chiron and Demetrius to dispose of the body and bring him the midwife. He says he will secretly raise the child to be a warrior. Titus has a clown deliver a message to Tamora and Saturninus, after getting a bunch of soldiers to shoot arrows at their stronghold. Saturninus hangs the clown, after he delivers the letter. Then, Aemilius tells Saturninus that Lucius has gathered an army of Goths to seize Rome. At this point, most of Rome believes Titus is crazy. Tamora uses this to her advantage and formulates a …show more content…
Then, one of the Goths enter with Aaron and his child. Lucius says that Aaron and his child may be spared if he gives out some secrets. Aaron tells Lucius that it was he who told Chiron and Demetrius to violate Lavinia. He admits to being behind almost all the other heinous deeds, as well. Later, Tamora, accompanied by Chiron and Demetrius, visits Titus at his home. Tamora pretends to be the embodied spirit of revenge, and Chiron and Demetrius as rape and murder, respectively. They offer Titus justice for the sins acted upon him if only he is able to stop Lucius from sieging Rome. Titus pretends to go along with it, but then he captures Chiron and Demetrius. He slits their throats, grinds their bones, and bakes them into pies. Titus hosts a banquet at his house, Lucius, Marcus, Aaron, Tamora, and Saturninus are invited. Titus dresses up as a cook and Lavinia enters veiled. Titus asks Saturninus about Virginius, who killed his daughter to stop her sadness and shame after her rape. Subsequently, Titus kills Lavinia. Titus feeds Tamora a pie, which he reveals to be made of Chiron and Demetrius. Then, Titus kills Tamora, as well. After that, Saturninus kills Titus and Lucius kills Saturninus. When all the fighting and killing has stopped, Marcus and Lucius have Aaron sent in. They will throw him into a pit to starve to death. Lucius says that his family and Saturninus shall have a proper burial, but Tamora will be

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