# Aaron — Titus Andronicus character guide

> Aaron in Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

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

**First appearance:** 0000-titus-andronicus

## Snapshot

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.

## Who they are

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.

## Relationships

### [Demetrius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/characters/demetrius)

_psychological_

Aaron manipulates Demetrius and his brother Chiron, encouraging their worst impulses to further his own schemes.

### [Lavinia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/characters/lavinia)

_psychological_

Aaron delights in Lavinia's suffering, orchestrating her rape and mutilation as part of his revenge against the Andronici.

### [Lucius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/characters/lucius)

_rivalry_

Aaron and Lucius are direct enemies, with Lucius capturing Aaron and ultimately condemning him to a brutal death.

### [Marcus Andronicus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/characters/marcus_andronicus)

_rivalry_

Aaron is an antagonist to Marcus, whose family he systematically destroys through manipulation and violence.

### [Marcus Andronicus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/characters/marcus_andronicus)

_rivalry_

Aaron is an antagonist to Marcus, whose family he systematically destroys through manipulation and violence.

### [Demetrius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/characters/demetrius)

_psychological_

Aaron manipulates Demetrius and his brother Chiron, encouraging their worst impulses to further his own schemes.

### [Lucius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/characters/lucius)

_rivalry_

Aaron and Lucius are direct enemies, with Lucius capturing Aaron and ultimately condemning him to a brutal death.

### [Demetrius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/characters/demetrius)

_psychological_

Aaron manipulates Demetrius and his brother Chiron, encouraging their worst impulses to further his own schemes.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

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

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/chapters/act-ii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/chapters/act-ii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/chapters/act-iii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii)

Defends his newborn son, kills the nurse, and devises a plan to swap the child.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Captured with his child, confesses his crimes, and bargains for the child's safety.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iii)

Captured and brought before the court; sentenced to be starved to death.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/characters/aaron
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/titus_andronicus_se/characters