Quo Vadis: A Narrative of the Time of Nero: Analysis of Major Characters
"Quo Vadis: A Narrative of the Time of Nero" is a historical romance set in ancient Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero, exploring themes of love, faith, and persecution. The narrative revolves around key characters, including Marcus Vinitius, a soldier who falls in love with Lygia, a Christian woman taken from her foster family. Petronius, Vinitius's uncle, is an influential figure in Nero’s court whose attempts to assist Vinitius ultimately lead to his own tragic end. Lygia’s journey from a captive to a symbol of faith highlights the struggles of early Christians facing persecution under Nero. Other notable characters include Aulus Plautius, the foster father of Lygia, and Chilo Chilonides, a cunning Greek who initially betrays the Christians but later seeks redemption. The story culminates in intense moments of sacrifice and the affirmation of belief, as characters confront their fates amidst the political turmoil of Rome. Through its vivid portrayal of love and moral conflict, "Quo Vadis" invites readers to reflect on the resilience of the human spirit in times of adversity.
Quo Vadis: A Narrative of the Time of Nero: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Henryk Sienkiewicz
First published: Quo vadis, 1896 (English translation, 1896)
Genre: Novel
Locale: Rome
Plot: Historical
Time: c. 64 c.e.
Petronius (peh-TROH-nee-uhs), a wealthy Roman patrician who, because of his knowledge of poetry and music, has great influence over Nero. His discriminating taste wins him the title of arbiter of elegance, and he is highly regarded throughout Rome. Petronius tries to help his nephew, Vinitius, win the love of Lygia by having her removed from the home of her foster parents to Nero's palace. Learning that Nero has ordered his death, Petronius commits suicide by bleeding.
Marcus Vinitius (MAHR-kuhs vih-NIH-shi-uhs), the nephew of Petronius. A soldier recently on military service abroad, he returns to Rome, where he falls in love with Lygia. After Lygia has been removed to the palace of Nero, Vinitius sees her at a banquet and tries to force his attentions on her. His efforts frighten Lygia, who flees, and Vinitius begins a search for her.
Aulus Plautius (A-luhs PLOH-shee-uhs), an old soldier who had taken part in the conquest of Britain. Lygia is his foster daughter. When she is taken from his house at Nero's command, he tries to have her returned.
Pomponia Graecina (pom-POH-nee-uh gree-SI-nuh), the wife of Aulus Plautius and the foster mother of Lygia. Pomponia, a Christian, has taught Lygia her faith.
Lygia (LIH-jee-uh), the daughter of a barbarian king. After her father's defeat, she was sent as hostage to Rome, where she became the foster daughter of a noble Roman family and was converted to Christianity. When she flees from Nero's palace, she goes to live in a community of Christians. After Vinitius locates her, she falls in love with him; through her influence, he too becomes a Christian. When Nero starts his persecutions of Christians, Lygia is captured and put in prison. There, she becomes ill with a fever and nearly dies. Still not fully recovered, she is tied to the horns of a bull and placed in the arena with her servant Ursus. After Ursus kills the bull, Nero frees them because they have won the favor of the crowd. Lygia and Vinitius are married and go with Ursus to live in Sicily.
Nero (NEE-roh), emperor of Rome. His vanity leads him to seek distinction as a poet and musician. Because Petronius is a connoisseur of fine art, Nero is always eager for his praise. Nero feels that his poetic work, the Troyad, describing the burning of Troy, is not authentic because he has never seen a burning city. At the suggestion of Tigellius, he has Rome set afire. Later, the Christians are accused of setting the fire and are persecuted as incendiaries.
Chilo Chilonides (KI-loh ki-LO-nih-deez), an unscrupulous and money-loving Greek hired by Vinitius to aid in his search for Lygia. Chilo later betrays the Christians to Nero and advances to a high position at court. At last, conscience-stricken, he denounces Nero's wrongdoings, becomes a Christian, and dies a martyr's death.
Poppaea (po-PEE-uh), Nero's beautiful but extremely jealous and cruel wife.
Actea (ak-TEE-uh), a Christian freedwoman who formerly had been one of Nero's favorites. Because of her amiability and modesty, she is liked by almost everyone. When Lygia is taken to Nero's palace, Actea befriends her.
Ursus (UR-suhs), the gigantic but simple-hearted slave who has served Lygia since her childhood. When Lygia becomes a Christian, Ursus is converted also. He rescues Lygia many times, remains with her while she is in prison, and saves her from death in the arena.
Glaucus (GLOH-kuhs), a Christian physician. Grievously wronged by Chilo, Glaucus forgives him.
Crispus (KRIHS-puhs), a stern, fanatical Christian who dies on the cross after denouncing Nero.
Tigellinus (tih-geh-LI-nuhs), a pretorian prefect of Rome who tries to advance his favor with Nero by suggesting that Rome be burnt. He is largely responsible for Petronius' fall from favor and death.
Chrysothemis (krih-SO-theh-mihs), a former mistress of Petronius.
Eunice (YEW-nihs), the beautiful slave who becomes the mistress of Petronius. She loves him devotedly; when Petronius falls from favor with Nero and commits suicide, she dies with him.
Miriam (MIH-ree-uhm), the Christian woman with whom Lygia lives for a time.
Nazarius (nuh-ZA-ree-uhs), Miriam's son.
Seneca (SEH-nuh-kuh), a Roman philosopher, Nero's childhood tutor.
Croto (KROH-toh), a Roman athlete of superhuman strength, killed by Ursus when he attempts to seize Lygia for Vinitius.
Paul of Tarsus (pohl, TAHR-suhs), a leader among the Christians of Rome until he is condemned to death.
Peter, the disciple of Christ who leads the Christians of Rome. After most of the Christians have been killed by Nero, Peter decides to leave the city and seek refuge elsewhere. As he walks out of the city, he sees a vision of Jesus. Peter falls on his knees and asks, “Quo vadis, Domine?” (Whither goest Thou, oh Lord?) Jesus replies, “As thou art deserting my people I go to Rome to be crucified for the second time.” After Peter hears these words, he turns and goes back to Rome, where he works among the Christians until he is arrested and killed.