Titus Andronicus

Act One

In Ancient Rome, brothers Saturninus and Bassianus are ready to battle for who will claim the crown of emperor. Before they can physically fight, patrician Marcus Andronicus announces that his brother, the noble general Titus Andronicus, is returning from war against the Goths. He persuades the brothers to take Titus’ advice; they agree. Titus is welcomed back to the Capitol with a train that includes soldiers, Titus’ four remaining sons, his prisoners (Tamora, Aaron, Alarbus, Chiron, and Demetrius), and the casket holding another son. Titus’ sons demand a sacrifice from Tamora, their enemy, and Titus grants them her oldest son, Alarbus, to satisfy their revenge. Marcus asks Titus to choose the next emperor of Rome, and although Bassianus is the more noble and honorable man, Saturninus is the elder brother, and so is Titus’ choice. Before Saturninus can claim Titus’ daughter Lavinia as his bride, her brothers and Bassianus whisk her away; she was already betrothed to