Saturninus Character Analysis in Titus Andronicus

Saturninus is the oldest son of the recently deceased Roman emperor and thus becomes emperor at the beginning of the play. When Titus’ sons and Bassianus claim that he cannot marry Lavinia, as he wished, he becomes angry with the Andronicus family and chooses Tamora as his wife instead. He then secretly engages in acts of revenge against Titus, though does not realize that he is being lied to and manipulated by Tamora.

Saturninus Quotes in Titus Andronicus

The Titus Andronicus quotes below are all either spoken by Saturninus or refer to Saturninus. 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:

Traitor, if Rome have law or we have power,
Thou and thy faction shall repent this rape.

Related Characters: (speaker),

Page Number and Citation: 1.1.411-412

Explanation and Analysis:

Kinsmen, his sorrows are past remedy.
Join with the Goths, and with revengeful war
Take wreak on Rome for this ingratitude,
And vengeance on the traitor Saturnine.

Related Characters: (speaker), , , ,

Page Number and Citation: 4.3.31-35

Explanation and Analysis:

My lord the Emperor, resolve me this:
Was it well done of rash Virginius
To slay his daughter with his own right hand
Because she was enforced, stained, and deflowered?

Related Characters: (speaker),

Related Symbols:

Page Number and Citation: 5.3.35-38

Explanation and Analysis:

There’s meed for meed, death for a deadly deed.

Related Characters: (speaker), ,

Related Symbols:

Page Number and Citation: 5.3.67

Explanation and Analysis:

Saturninus Character Timeline in Titus Andronicus

The timeline below shows where the character Saturninus appears in Titus Andronicus. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

As the play opens, Saturninus and Bassianus, the two sons of the recently deceased emperor of Rome, are arguing over... (full context)

...campaign against the Gauls, where 21 of his 25 sons died in battle. Bassianus and Saturninus concede and the three men exit. (full context)

...of him as emperor. Titus declines (he says he is too old and weak) and Saturninus responds by reasserting his claim to the throne. Bassianus asks for Titus to support him... (full context)

As a gesture of thanks to Titus, Saturninus declares that he will take Lavinia as his wife. Titus is pleased with this, and... (full context)

...Bassianus's claim to Lavinia, and Titus responds by calling them traitors. Titus then calls for Saturninus to alert him and Saturninus returns. Titus’ son Mutius helps Titus’ other sons and Bassianus... (full context)

Angry that Lavinia has been taken from him, Saturninus says that he no longer trusts the Andronicus family and will not have Lavinia as... (full context)

Saturninus enters with Tamora, her sons, and Aaron, while Bassianus enters with Lavinia. Saturninus tells Bassianus... (full context)

Tamora convinces Saturninus not to seek revenge, but rather to forgive Titus. However, she secretly whispers to Saturninus... (full context)

...that he and Tamora are lovers and says that Tamora will cause the downfall of Saturninus and Rome. Chiron and Demetrius enter, arguing over their desire for Lavinia, and prepare to... (full context)

...and Titus’ sons prepare for the hunt. Titus tells his sons to watch out for Saturninus, as he has been “troubled in my sleep this night.” Saturninus, Tamora, Bassianus, Lavinia, and... (full context)

...sons will rape Lavinia and kill Bassianus. He gives Tamora a letter to show to Saturninus. (full context)

...Lavinia and Bassianus chastise Tamora for sleeping with Aaron and say that they will tell Saturninus about what they’ve seen. (full context)

...dark and difficult to see clearly, Martius falls into the pit. Aaron goes to find Saturninus. Martius sees Bassianus’ dead body in the pit. Quintus attempts to help him get out... (full context)

Saturninus reads the letter, which describes a plan to kill Bassianus in return for payment in... (full context)

Aaron enters and tells Titus that Saturninus will allow Titus’ sons to be ransomed if Titus, Marcus, or Lucius will cut off... (full context)

...revenge. He sends Lucius to go to the Goths and raise an army to challenge Saturninus. Lucius bids farewell to Rome, Lavinia, and his father, calling Titus “the woefull’st man that... (full context)

...to get a fair-skinned baby to change places with his and pose as Tamora and Saturninus’ son. He asks Demetrius and Chiron to send the midwife to him (so he may... (full context)

...rustic peasant) enters and Titus writes a message that he has the clown deliver to Saturninus. (full context)

Saturninus, attended by Tamora, Chiron, and Demetrius, is annoyed by the arrows shot by the Andronicus... (full context)

A messenger named Aemilius arrives and tells Saturninus that Lucius is leading an army of Goths against Rome. Saturninus worries, since the Roman... (full context)

...regret is that he cannot commit more crimes. The messenger Aemilius arrives and announces that Saturninus wants to meet with Titus and Lucius at Titus’ house. Lucius agrees to the meeting. (full context)

...over Aaron until it is time to for him to reveal Aaron's relationship with Tamora. Saturninus and Tamora arrive with their attendants and agree to a peaceful meeting with Lucius. Titus... (full context)

Titus then reveals to Saturninus that Demetrius and Chiron raped Lavinia and mutilated her. Saturninus asks for the two sons... (full context)

...be buried chest-deep in the earth, where he will starve to death. Lucius orders for Saturninus to be brought to his family’s tomb, and for Titus and Lavinia to be buried... (full context)

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Saturninus Character Analysis

Saturninus Quotes in Titus Andronicus

Saturninus Character Timeline in Titus Andronicus

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