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The story of Titus Andronicus, Rome's finest general, begins with his return to Rome after having defeated the Goths. His first task is to bury his son. His wish is to enjoy a peaceful retirement. However, the people of Rome are not yet ready for Titus to retire from public life. The Emperor died shortly before Titus' return, leaving behind two sons, each of whom believe they should lead Rome to further glory. The Emperor's sons vie for power against each other. They lobby the Senate, lead by Titus' brother Marcus, for support. Titus, a man who respects tradition, has no wish to take the imperial seat for himself and watches the brothers' debate dispassionately. The duties of state require Titus to prosecute the trial of the defeated Goth Queen, Tamora, and her sons. Titus' son Lucius calls for the ritual execution of at least one of the Queen's sons. Titus chooses Alarbus, Tamora's eldest son, and ignores Tamora's plea for mercy. This casual cruelty plants the seed of murderous revenge in Tamora's heart. Lavinia, Titus' lovely daughter and engaged to Bassianus, the younger son of the dead Emperor, welcomes her father back to Rome. Titus makes it clear to her that he longs for peace and the opportunity it brings to enjoy family life. The Andronicus family, as the backbone of the Roman political elite, attends a private meeting with Saturninus and Bassianus. The issue of ascendancy to the throne must be settled. Titus throws his support to Saturninus, adhering to the protocol of the eldest son inheriting the throne. Lavinia enters the meeting chamber with Tamora, now demeaned as a servant of the Andronicus family. Titus, offering the tribute of a vassal to his liege, gives Tamora, as a servant, to Saturninus, the new Emperor. Saturninus is instantly enamored of Tamora, but grateful to Titus for his support, he decides to take Lavinia as his wife. However, Saturninus leaves the meeting with Tamora in tow at which point Bassianus, defending his claim to Lavinia as his fiancee, elopes with her. Titus' sons, recognizing the unfairness of their father's agreement to have Lavinia marry Saturninus, stop Titus from following the young couple. The melee which ensues results in Titus' killing his son Mutius. His call for the Emperor's guards brings Saturninus back to view the atrocity, and when he discovers that the cause of the fracas was Lavinia's elopement with Bassianus, he disparages Titus' loyalty, honor and trustworthiness. Instead, he announces, he will marry Tamora, Queen of the Goths. Thus, Tamora acquires a position from which she can take revenge on Titus and his family, setting in motion a cycle of revenge which culminates in a spectacular whirlwind of unleashed vengeance. |