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| Character | Sejanus | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Young Adult (20-35), Adult (36-50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Angry, Talking to the audience, Rejoicing/Excited, Malicious/scheming | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Year | 1603 | |
| Period | 17th Century | |
| Genre | Historical, Tragedy, Drama | |
| Description | Sejanus plots revenge over Drusus | |
| Location | ACT II, Scene 2 | |
Summary
Sejanus was an ambitious praetorian prefect and close advisor of emperor Tiberius. The play follows the rise and fall of this character as he plots his way to the top by murder and deceit. He plots to murder the emperor's son, Drusus, with his wife Livia. After having poisoned Drusus he tries to marry his widow and become Tiberius' heir. Tiberius, blind to Sejanus' schemes, strongly favors Sejanus, who becomes very powerful. Sejanus and his followers persecute and kill anybody who may threaten his rise to power. Eventually Tiberius realizes what is going on in his court, has Sejanus arrested and executed.
This monologue comes in act II, scene 2. At the end of act I Drusus and Sejanus, who hate each other, have a confrontation and Drusus strikes him in the public, humiliating him. Sejanus plots revenge and in scene 1 of act II he meets Livia (Drusus wife) and Eudemus, Drusus' physician, and persuades them to help him murder Drusus by poisoning him.
In this monologue Sejanus gives an angry tirade against Drusus, also promising that this will be one of his many "wicked acts" that he will perform to get to the top.
This monologue comes in act II, scene 2. At the end of act I Drusus and Sejanus, who hate each other, have a confrontation and Drusus strikes him in the public, humiliating him. Sejanus plots revenge and in scene 1 of act II he meets Livia (Drusus wife) and Eudemus, Drusus' physician, and persuades them to help him murder Drusus by poisoning him.
In this monologue Sejanus gives an angry tirade against Drusus, also promising that this will be one of his many "wicked acts" that he will perform to get to the top.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
|---|
| SEJANUS If this be not revenge, when I have done And made it perfect, let Egyptian slaves, Parthians, and bare-foot Hebrews brand my face, And print my body full of injuries. Thou lost thyself, child Drusus, when thou thoughtst Thou couldst outskip my vengeance; or outstand The power I had to crush thee into air. Thy follies now shall taste what kind of man They have provoked, and this thy father's house Crack in the flame of my incensed rage, Whose fury shall admit no shame or mean.—— Adultery! it is the lightest ill I will commit A race of wicked acts Shall flow out of my anger, and o'erspread The world's wide face, which no posterity Shall e'er approve, nor yet keep silent: things That for their cunning, close, and cruel mark, Thy father would wish his: and shall, perhaps, Carry the empty name, but we the prize. On, then, my soul, and start not in thy course; Though heaven drop sulphur, and hell belch out fire, Laugh at the idle terrors; tell proud Jove, Between his power and thine there is no odds: 'Twas only fear first in the world made gods! |
