Aaron is Tamora’s secret lover and fathers a child with her. Of African descent, he takes abuse from both the Andronicus family and from Demetrius and Chiron for his dark skin. While the distinction between barbarous Goths and civilized Romans tends to blur over the course of the play, Aaron is still separated from other characters because of his skin color. Aaron is a cunning villain, behind much of the violence of the play: he arranges for Quintus and Martius to be framed for Bassianus's murder, and he also encourages Demetrius and Chiron to both rape Lavinia. He feels no regret for his deeds when captured by Lucius, and says that he only wishes he could live to commit more crimes.
Aaron the Moor Quotes in Titus Andronicus
The Titus Andronicus quotes below are all either spoken by Aaron the Moor or refer to Aaron the Moor. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 2, Scene 1
Quotes
There serve your lust, shadowed from heaven’s eye,
And revel in Lavinia’s treasury.
Related Characters:
Aaron the Moor (speaker), Demetrius and Chiron, Lavinia
Related Symbols:
The Body
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 2, Scene 3
Quotes
Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand,
Blood and revenge are hammering in my head.
Related Characters:
Aaron the Moor (speaker)
Related Symbols:
The Hunt
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 5, Scene 1
Quotes
But I have done a thousand dreadful things
As willingly as one would kill a fly,
And nothing grieves me heartily indeed
But that I cannot do ten thousand more.
Related Characters:
Aaron the Moor (speaker)
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
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Aaron the Moor Character Timeline in Titus Andronicus
The timeline below shows where the character Aaron the Moor appears in Titus Andronicus. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 1, Scene 1
...prisoners: Tamora, the queen of the Goths; her three sons (Alarbus, Demetrius, and Chiron); and Aaron, a Moor (someone of African descent). Titus’ son Lucius suggests that one of Tamora’s sons...
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Saturninus enters with Tamora, her sons, and Aaron, while Bassianus enters with Lavinia. Saturninus tells Bassianus that he can have Lavinia and calls...
(full context)
Act 2, Scene 1
In a soliloquy, Aaron reveals that he and Tamora are lovers and says that Tamora will cause the downfall...
(full context)
Act 2, Scene 3
Alone during the hunt, Aaron buries a bag of gold under a tree. Tamora arrives and suggests she and Aaron...
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Bassianus and Lavinia come upon Aaron and Tamora, discovering that the two are lovers. Aaron leaves to find Tamora’s sons. Bassianus...
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Aaron enters, leading two of Titus’ sons (Martius and Quintus) and telling them that he has...
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...Bassianus in return for payment in the form of gold hidden under a nearby tree. Aaron unearths the gold. Saturninus believes that Titus’ sons are behind the plot, and since they...
(full context)
Act 3, Scene 1
Aaron enters and tells Titus that Saturninus will allow Titus’ sons to be ransomed if Titus,...
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Aaron leaves and Titus cries out in pain, saying that his passionate grief is “bottomless.” Marcus...
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Act 3, Scene 2
...pain it would cause the fly’s parents. Marcus responds that the fly was black, like Aaron. Titus cries out gleefully and tells Marcus he was right to kill the fly. He...
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Act 4, Scene 2
...Tamora has given birth to a son. A nurse enters, bearing Tamora’s son. She tells Aaron that the child is dark-skinned, and will thus reveal that Tamora and Aaron are lovers....
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Act 5, Scene 1
Lucius prepares his army of Goths to attack Rome. A Goth enters with Aaron and Aaron’s child, having found them in hiding. Lucius decides to hang the child in...
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Aaron tells Lucius that Tamora is the mother of his child and that Demetrius and Chiron...
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Act 5, Scene 3
Lucius, Marcus, and some Goths arrive at Titus’ home for the banquet, bringing Aaron and his child with them as prisoners. Lucius has Marcus watch over Aaron until it...
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...Quintus and Martius to be wrongfully executed and him to be exiled. Marcus then reveals Aaron and Tamora’s child, tells the Roman people, “Now judge what cause had Titus to revenge...
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Aemilius acclaims Lucius as emperor, since the Roman people support him. Marcus orders for Aaron to be brought out, while the Roman people hail Lucius as their new emperor. Lucius...
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Guards bring out Aaron and Lucius orders for him to be buried chest-deep in the earth, where he will...
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