Titus Andronicus

by

William Shakespeare

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The Hunt Symbol Analysis

Read our modern English translation.
The Hunt Symbol Icon
The Andronicus family goes hunting with Bassianus, Saturninus, and Lavinia in Act 2, Scene 3. However, it is Bassianus, Lavinia, and the rest of the Andronicus family that end up being preyed upon by Demetrius, Chiron, Aaron, and Tamora. This reversal—where hunter becomes the hunted—encapsulates the process of revenge. One character may begin as the avenger, but he or she soon becomes the object of someone else’s act of revenge. Violence and revenge are inherently unstable in the play: perpetrators of violence are likely to find their acts backfiring on them and leading to their own suffering, just like a hunter who suddenly finds himself being hunted.

The Hunt Quotes in Titus Andronicus

The Titus Andronicus quotes below all refer to the symbol of The Hunt. 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:
Revenge Theme Icon
).
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
Page Number: 2.38-39
Explanation and Analysis:

Revenge it as you love your mother’s life,
Or be you not henceforth called my children.

Related Characters: Tamora (speaker), Bassianus, Demetrius and Chiron
Related Symbols: The Hunt, The Body
Page Number: 2.3.114-115
Explanation and Analysis:
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The Hunt Symbol Timeline in Titus Andronicus

The timeline below shows where the symbol The Hunt appears in Titus Andronicus. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 1, Scene 1
Revenge Theme Icon
...sons ask for Saturninus’ pardon. Saturninus publicly forgives them. Titus invites Saturninus to go on a hunt with him the next day as a gesture of reconciliation and Saturninus accepts the invitation. (full context)
Act 2, Scene 1
Violence and Justice Theme Icon
...them that there will be an opportunity for them to do so during the upcoming hunting trip . He suggests that they tell Tamora about their plans, so that she may advise... (full context)
Act 2, Scene 2
Revenge Theme Icon
Violence and Justice Theme Icon
Marcus, Titus, and Titus’ sons prepare for the hunt . Titus tells his sons to watch out for Saturninus, as he has been “troubled... (full context)
Act 2, Scene 3
Revenge Theme Icon
Alone during the hunt , Aaron buries a bag of gold under a tree. Tamora arrives and suggests she... (full context)