How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Act.Scene.Line). Line numbers correspond to the Riverside edition.
Quote #4
TITUS ANDRONICUS
What, villain boy!
Barr'st me my way in Rome?
MUTIUS
Help, Lucius, help! (1.1.17)
When Titus stabs Mutius for helping Bassianus run off with Lavinia (who has just been engaged to the new emperor), we can see that Titus values his reputation and his commitment to Rome more than his family – he doesn't even bat an eyelash when he kills Mutius. Titus may be Rome's favorite war hero, but he's a lousy father.
Quote #5
Revenge it, as you love your mother's life,
Or be ye not henceforth call'd my children. (2.3.5)
Earlier we saw Tamora plead for her eldest son's life as a loving mother. Here, however, Tamora manipulates her own sons into doing her dirty work for her. She lies about an encounter with Bassianus and Lavinia and orders her sons to prove their love with an act of vengeance, threatening to disown them if they don't obey.
Quote #6
DEMETRIUS
Chiron, thy years want wit, thy wit wants edge,
And manners, to intrude where I am graced;
And may, for aught thou know'st, affected be.
CHIRON
Demetrius, thou dost over-ween in all;
And so in this, to bear me down with braves.
'Tis not the difference of a year or two
Makes me less gracious or thee more fortunate:
I am as able and as fit as thou
To serve, and to deserve my mistress' grace;
And that my sword upon thee shall approve,
And plead my passions for Lavinia's love. (2.1.1)
When Demetrius and Chiron bicker over who "deserves" to woo Lavinia, they reenact a sibling quarrel we saw earlier in the play – Bassianus's and Saturninus's fight over who should marry Titus's daughter.