Titus Andronicus · Character

Aaron

Tamora's Moorish lover, a man who revels in villainy for its own sake, engineers the play's cruelest acts and refuses repentance to the last breath.

major

Also known as Aaron the Moor, the Moor, Aaron Ay, Aaron Villain, Aaron Madam

First appearance: titus andronicus

As a major figure in Titus Andronicus, Aaron is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Moor and prisoner, present among the Goths, later becomes Tamora's lover.

In the storyScene IOpen this moment free

See Aaron in Scene I Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Aaron operates in Rome's shadows as Tamora's secret consort and chief strategist, orchestrating murders, framing Titus's sons, and arranging Lavinia's assault with cold precision. What distinguishes him from the play's other schemers is his honesty about his motives—he does evil not for power or grief but because he finds it delicious. His unapologetic malice and his fierce, unexpected tenderness toward his infant son make him the play's most unsettling and strangely compelling figure.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Aaron sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Aaron in titus andronicus

Character Web

17 connections

A slice of how Aaron sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Central tragic figures
Protagonist

+12 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the psychological breaking point where Titus shifts from pa…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Demetrius
psychological · negative
Aaron manipulates Demetrius and his brother Chiron, encouraging their worst impulses to… How this plays out →
Lavinia
psychological · negative
Lucius
rivalry · negative
Marcus Andronicus
rivalry · negative
Marcus Andronicus
rivalry · negative
Demetrius
psychological · negative
Aaron manipulates Demetrius and his brother Chiron, encouraging their worst impulses to… How this plays out →
Lucius
rivalry · negative
Demetrius
psychological · negative
Aaron manipulates Demetrius and his brother Chiron, encouraging their worst impulses to… How this plays out →

Demetrius
Aaron manipulates Demetrius and his brother Chiron, encouraging their worst impulses to further his own schemes.
Lavinia
Aaron delights in Lavinia's suffering, orchestrating her rape and mutilation as part of his revenge against the Andronici.
Lucius
Aaron and Lucius are direct enemies, with Lucius capturing Aaron and ultimately condemning him to a brutal death.
Marcus Andronicus
Aaron is an antagonist to Marcus, whose family he systematically destroys through manipulation and violence.
Marcus Andronicus
Aaron is an antagonist to Marcus, whose family he systematically destroys through manipulation and violence.
Demetrius
Aaron manipulates Demetrius and his brother Chiron, encouraging their worst impulses to further his own schemes.
Lucius
Aaron and Lucius are direct enemies, with Lucius capturing Aaron and ultimately condemning him to a brutal death.
Demetrius
Aaron manipulates Demetrius and his brother Chiron, encouraging their worst impulses to further his own schemes.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Aaron in titus andronicus

In the story

Aaron appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene I
Moor and prisoner, present among the Goths, later becomes Tamora's lover.
Scene I
Revels in Tamora's imperial ascent and resolves to serve her; brokers peace between Demetrius and Chiron by proposing a joint rape of Lavinia.
Scene III
Hides gold to frame Titus's sons; rejects Tamora's advances, focusing on vengeance; lures Quintus and Martius to the pit.
Scene I
Deceives Titus into cutting off his own hand, then sends the hand and the heads of Titus's sons to Saturninus.
Scene II
Defends his newborn son, kills the nurse, and devises a plan to swap the child.
Scene I
Captured with his child, confesses his crimes, and bargains for the child's safety.
Scene III
Captured and brought before the court; sentenced to be starved to death.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Aaron unlock in the free preview.

See Aaron in titus andronicus

See Aaron in Scene I