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| Character | Sejanus | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | |
| Age Range(s) | Young Adult (20-35), Adult (36-50) | |
| Type of monologue / Character is | Persuasive, Mocking | |
| Type | Dramatic | |
| Year | 1603 | |
| Period | 17th Century | |
| Genre | Historical, Tragedy, Drama | |
| Description | Sejanus mocks religion | |
| Location | ACT V, Scene 1 | |
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 is in the first scene of act V. Sejanus is encountering growing opposition from a group of senators, led by Agrippina, the widow of Roman general Germanicus. Sejanus is in his house with his followers, Terentius, Satrius and Natta. They inform him that somebody has set fire on one of Sejanus' statues and taken the head off. They tell him a big snake came out of an opening of his statue. They consider it a bad omen and also describe other happenings that they consider to be a sign that the gods are angry at him. In this monologue Sejanus mocks religion as being a superstition.
This monologue is in the first scene of act V. Sejanus is encountering growing opposition from a group of senators, led by Agrippina, the widow of Roman general Germanicus. Sejanus is in his house with his followers, Terentius, Satrius and Natta. They inform him that somebody has set fire on one of Sejanus' statues and taken the head off. They tell him a big snake came out of an opening of his statue. They consider it a bad omen and also describe other happenings that they consider to be a sign that the gods are angry at him. In this monologue Sejanus mocks religion as being a superstition.
Written by Administrator
| Excerpt |
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| SEJANUS What excellent fools Religion makes of men! Believes Terentius, If these were dangers, as I shame to think them, The gods could change the certain course of fate! Or, if they could they would, now in a moment, For a beeve's fat, or less, be bribed to invert Those long decrees? Then think the gods, like flies, Are to be taken with the steam of flesh, Or blood, diffused about their altars: think Their power as cheap as I esteem it small.—— Of all the throng that fill th' Olympian hall, And, without pity, lade poor Atlas' back, I know not that one deity, but Fortune, To whom I would throw up, in begging smoke, One grain of incense; or whose ear I'd buy With thus much oil. Her I, indeed, adore; And keep her grateful image in my house, Sometime belonging to a Roman king. But now call'd mine, as by the better style: To her I care not, if, for satisfying Your scrupulous phant'sies, I go offer. Bid Our priest prepare us honey, milk, and poppy, His masculine odours, and night-vestments: say, Our rites are instant; which perform'd, you'll see How vain, and worthy laughter, your fears be. |
