The Tragedy of Titus Andronicus (an Early Tragedy)(pronounced like the vowels in the words: tight us an drone nick us)In my opinion, this is the most gruesome play Shakespeare wrote. In Rome, all gather to see the late emperor buried. Saturninus, his eldest son, declares he should be the next emperor, but his brother Bassianus wants to hold an election, hoping himself to be elected. However, Titus\' brother Marcus Andronicus (the Tribune of Rome) announces that the Senate has elected Titus the new emperor, as reward for long years of service as a military commander. Saturninus and Bassianus seem to peacefully withdraw their claims. Titus Andronicus then appears, back from the 10 year war with the Goths, in which he killed the Goth king, King Priam, and captured the queen Tamora and her three sons, Alarbus, Demetrius, and Chiron. Immediately, Titus\' three living sons Lucius, Quintus, and Martius sacrifice Alarbus to appease the Roman gods, bringing Tamora to curse the Romans (interestingly, Titus had 21 other sons die valiantly in war over the years). When Marcus attempts to name Titus emperor, he refuses, claiming to be only a soldier. Marcus agrees to allow Titus to choose between Saturninus and Bassianus; he chooses the elder, Saturninus, who is immediately crowned emperor, then names Titus\' daughter Lavinia his empress (although she loves Bassianus). Next, Tamora and her sons are brought in and presented to Saturninus, who immediately falls in love with Tamora, and to the surprise of all sets her and her sons free. Bassianus then declares he is in love with Lavinia, but her own father Titus declares she should stay with Saturninus. Her brothers protect her and Bassianus as they flee, with Titus\' son Mutius blocking the way. In the chase, Titus kills his own son, Mutius for defying Titus\' orders. Saturninus appears and declares he no longer cares about Lavinia, and, to Titus\' amazement and dismay, declares Tamora the new empress (although she loves Aaron the Moor, who is from Africa). Titus\' brother Marcus and Titus\' sons Lucius, Quintus, and Martius beg Titus to let Mutius be buried in the Andronicus tomb. Although difficult, they eventually convince him as such. Saturninus then reappears and accuses Bassianus of being a traitor. Tamora, though, after much persuasion, convinces Saturninus to forgive all, including Titus for murdering his son. In private, she vows to one day massacre them all. They then leave to see Saturninus marry Tamora and hold a feast.