quotes, notes, timelines & more

Home » Shakespeare's Works » Elements » Characters » Aaron

Aaron

Lyrical Violence

Read the Note

The cruelty that characterizes Titus Andronicus is established in the first scene. Tamora’s cry, “O cruel, irreligious piety!” captures the style of what follows in this play – the juxtaposition of religious language, an idyllic setting and barbarity. In many passages the descriptions of horror are cast in lyrical or pastoral language, e.g. Aaron explaining to Tamora’s sons the setting appropriate for raping,
… continue reading this note

Now climbeth Tamora Olympus’ top

Read the Quote

Now climbeth Tamora Olympus’ top,
Safe out of Fortune’s shot, and sits aloft,
Secure of thunder’s crack or lightning flash,
Advanced above pale Envy’s threat’ning reach.

Away with slavish weeds and servile thoughts!
I will be bright, and shine in pearl and gold
To wait upon this new-made emperess.

As when the golden sun salutes the morn
And,
… continue reading this quote

Source:
Act 2
Scene 1
Line 1

Source Type:

Spoken by:

The forest walks are wide and spacious

Read the Quote

The forest walks are wide and spacious,
And many unfrequented plots there are,Hyperbaton
Fitted by kind for rape and villainy.
Single you thither then this dainty doe,Alliteration & Metaphor
And strike her home by force, if not by words.

The Emperor’s court is like the house of Fame,
The palace full of tongues,
… continue reading this quote

Source:
Act 2
Scene 1
Line 121

Source Type:

Spoken by:

Figures of Speech:
, , , , , ,

Connected Notes:
Lyrical Violence

My lovely Aaron, wherefore look’st thou sad

Read the Quote

Tamora
My lovely Aaron, wherefore look’st thou sad,
When everything doth make a gleeful boast?
The birds chant melody on every bush,
The snakes lies rollèd in the cheerful sun,
The green leaves quiver with the cooling wind
And make a checkered shadow on the ground.

We may, each wreathèd in the other’s arms,
Our pastimes done,
… continue reading this quote

Source:
Act 2
Scene 3
Line 10

Source Type:

Spoken by:
,

Sooner this sword shall plow thy bowels up!

Read the Quote

Aaron, taking the baby  
Sooner this sword shall plow thy bowels up!
Stay, murderous villains, will you kill your brother?
Now, by the burning tapers of the sky
That shone so brightly when this boy was got,
He dies upon my scimitar’s sharp point
That touches this my firstborn son and heir.
I tell you,
… continue reading this quote

Source:
Act 4
Scene 2
Line 91

Source Type:

Spoken by:
, , ,