Titus The Andronicus; The Analysis of the Character of Aaron The Moor

In the play ‘Titus the Andronicus, Shakespeare presents one of his most violent plays. In this play, there are many instances of violence, deception, and even manipulation of facts. The biggest villain in the play appears to be Aaron the Moor. He is behind almost all of the violence that takes place. Aaron plays the role of Tamora’s Moorish secret lover. Aaron, the Moor, is presented as malevolent, devious, and detestable. These traits are due to his actions, utterances as well as how he seems unremorseful in the end. However, despite all the evil and inhumane nature, Aaron also shows a kinder side to him as he chooses to save his son’s life and even bargains to keep him in exchange for information.

To begin with, Aaron finds himself in Rome after Titus captures him alongside the Goths. He does not waste time but by plotting how to pit the characters against each other. To begin with, the plots, the death of Bassanius. He is ecstatic that Tamora is now the Empress in Act II. He is not happy because his lover has become successful: the reason for his joy is that now he will have ample opportunities to commit more evil. When he hears of the argument between Chiron and Demetrius regarding Lavinia, he advises them not to bicker. Instead, they should waylay her on the next day and rape her “to pluck a dainty doe to the ground” (II.ii.26).” This depicts Aaron as an opportunistic and evil man who draws pleasure from committing heinous acts to innocent people. ‘There serve your lust, shadowed from heaven’s eye, And revel in Lavinia’s treasury.” From his flippant tone, it is clear that he is reveling in the evil that he plants in the minds of the two men even if he will not be taking part in it.

Being Tamora’s secret lover already depicts him as immoral and unafraid. He is happy being intimate with the wife of the emperor of Rome, Sartunius, even though this might mean death for him if found out. He is also extremely crafty because when he is found in the forest by Bassanius and Lavinia, being intimate with Tamora, he already has a plan to kill Basanius. Aaron had already had buried a bag of gold near a tree in his grand scheme of having Bassanius murdered and to pin the murder on Martius and Quintus, Titus’ sons. In his soliloquy, he says,” vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand, Blood and revenge are hammering in my head.” These words show how he is only driven by vengeance and evil. According to Rowe, it not only shows him as a schemer who controls every move made by the characters without their knowledge but also as a loyal person to Tamora. Thus although he is malevolent, he is also very faithful to his lover Tamora (Rowe, 285).

The genius of Aaron’s plan is seen when having already with a letter incriminating the sons of Titus, leads them to it where he claims there is a panther. They then fall in beside the dead Bassanius. This makes it hard for the sons of Titus to argue their innocence, and soon they are beheaded. The plan works like a well- oiled machine showing how smart and committed to making Tamara exact revenge for killing her son.

Another instance that confirms Aaron’s deceptive and evil nature is when he deceives Titus, who is mourning the impending death of his sons, as well as the heinous rape and mutilation of his daughter Lavinia. Titus; has tried pleading for mercy from Sartunius to no avail because of the thoroughly convincing evidence. Thus he is desperate for anything that could save his son’s lives. Aaron, therefore, takes advantage of this grief and deceives Titus that Sartunius has promised to set Titus’ sons free in exchange for his hand. He says “my lord the emperor Sends thee this word,—that, if thou love thy sons, Let Marcus, Lucius, or thyself, old Titus, Or any one of you, chop off your hand, And send it to the king: he for the same Will send thee hither both thy sons alive;(II, I).”Marcus and Lucius, who are with Titus, are eager to give their limbs in exchange for Martus and Quintus’ lives. However, Aaron beats them to it and hands over his hand to Aaron to whom he says’ Lend me thy hand, and I will give you mine“. Aaron unflinchingly proceeds to cut off his Titus’ hand, knowing fully well that this was all deception. Thus it shows the extent of hatred and evil that exists in Aaron The Moor because he sees no shame in aggravating the situation of a father whose sons he has set up to be killed.” If that be call’d deceit, I will be honest, And never, whilst I live, deceive men so (III, I)” In an aside, he seems to be in admiration of his ability to manipulate and deceive further compounding his nature as a cunning villain.

Aaron the Moor is also very perceptive as compared to the young Goths. He is wise and knows when he is being targeted indirectly by Titus. When Titus figures out who the perpetrators of Lavinia’s rape and mutilation are; through the words she manages to write on the ground; he delivers weapons and a scroll with the words, “The man of upright life, and free from crime, has no need of the Moore’s javelins or arrows.” (IV, I) This cryptic message is meant as a warning, but Demetrius and Chirion, do not get the message. Aaron, on the other hand, quickly understands the implication of the words and knows that his plan is coming undone.

However, Aaron also portrays a positive side that is selfless and altruistic. When the midwife delivers the ‘dark-skinned child, ‘ his race comes to play because it is the one defining quality that now predisposes his child to danger. In classic paternal love, he comes to the rescue of the child who is meant to be killed as if he is seen: it would expose the Empress. He shows his pride and confidence in his race. He sees his son as a treasure worthy of his protection,‘ then let no man, but I Do execution on my flesh and blood,’ and thus, he defies the advice of the nurse and kills her before taking off. This is one of the few kind things that Aaron does though out the play according to (Rowe 280). This makes it clear to the audience that might already have judged him as all evil that he has a little aspect of goodness and can be selfless in certain circumstances.

Overall, Aaron is depicted as a conniving and vindictive character who is fueled by hatred and commits evil against different people through careful manipulation. He is not hypocritical but admits to his evil doings ‘If there be devils, would I were a devil, To live and burn in everlasting fire: His only regret and lament is that he will not have the chance to do more evil “Ay, that I had not done a thousand more./ Even now I curse the day—. This depicts the inherently malevolent character of Aaron that masks the crafty and manipulative mind, loving and protective father making him appear only in the negative light. The evil aspect of Aaron, however, could be a mere motivation of protecting and avenging his mistress Tamora who has been captured by the Romans and had one of her sons killed. Thus the evil could also be fueled by loyalty if nothing else.

References

Shakespeare, W., The Tragedy of Titus Andronicus, New York. Penguin.2007

Rowe, A. K. Dismembering and Forgetting in Titus Andronicus; Shakespeare Quarterly Vol. Oxford University Press. 45, No. 3 (Autumn, 1994), pp. 279-303