Rape, call you it, my lord, to seize my own, My truth-betrothed love and now my wife? But let the laws of Rome determine all; Meanwhile I am possess’d of that is mine.
Crime, you call it, my lord, to take what’s mine, My betrothed love and now my wife? But let the laws of Rome decide everything; Meanwhile, I hold what’s rightfully mine.
Bassianus · Act 1, Scene 1
Bassianus has just seized Lavinia from Saturninus and is defending his right to marry her. The line matters because it speaks the gap between law and violence—he invokes 'the laws of Rome' even as he's breaking the emperor's will. It shows a man trying to claim justice through words when the system has already failed him.
King, be thy thoughts imperious, like thy name. Is the sun dimm’d, that gnats do fly in it? The eagle suffers little birds to sing, And is not careful what they mean thereby, Knowing that with the shadow of his wings He can at pleasure stint their melody: Even so mayst thou the giddy men of Rome. Then cheer thy spirit : for know, thou emperor, I will enchant the old Andronicus With words more sweet, and yet more dangerous, Than baits to fish, or honey-stalks to sheep, When as the one is wounded with the bait, The other rotted with delicious feed.
King, be bold in your thoughts, like your name. Is the sun dimmed, just because little insects fly in it? The eagle lets the small birds sing, And doesn’t care what they mean by it, Knowing that with the shadow of his wings He can easily stop their song: In the same way, you can control the foolish people of Rome. So lift your spirits: for know, you emperor, I will charm the old Andronicus With words that are sweeter, and even more dangerous, Than hooks to catch fish, or honey to trap sheep, When one is hurt by the hook, and the other is spoiled by too much sweetness.
Bassianus · Act 4, Scene 4
Tamora counsels Saturninus not to rage at Titus, assuring him she can manipulate the old general into betraying his own son. The speech lands because it reveals her true mastery—not of swords but of words, flattery, and the minds of men. Tamora's power lies in her ability to make others believe lies taste like truth.
