Titus Andronicus Group

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micah11
micah11
Student
Graduate School

1.1 ln 60 - 63: When Saturninus and Bassianus enter the senate house, are we to assume they will become Senators, having given up the empery? 

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Posted by micah11 on Monday November 26, 2007 at 11:03 AM and tagged with titus andronicus.

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  1. malibrarian Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    Saturninus and Bassanius are already addressing the assembled senators and explaining why each thinks he should be the next emperor. When they agree to give up their claims in favor of Titus Andronicus becoming emperor, it sounds to me like they leave to go to the capitol and let everyone know of their decision, but the text doesn't say anything about them becoming senators. I definitely don't believe that would have been Saturninus' decision as he had every intention of coming back and asserting his right to be emperor:

    "Romans, do me right:
    Patricians, draw your swords: and sheathe them not
    Till Saturninus be Rome's emperor.
    Andronicus, would thou wert shipp'd to hell,
    Rather than rob me of the people's hearts!" (I, i)

    Both Bassanius and Saturninus were sons of the late Roman emperor, so they both had a claim to the throne. Their ultimate goal would have been to achieve that throne, not to become part of the senatorial class.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/titus-andronicus
    http://www.enotes.com/titus-andronicus-text/act-scene-1

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    Posted by malibrarian on Monday November 26, 2007 at 1:35 PM