SceneFiend library
Sejanus his Fall
By Ben Johnson - Stage play
Roles
- Tiberius - Adult (36-50), Senior (>50), Male
About this piece
Tiberius discourages Sejanus to marry Livia
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. In this monologue Tiberius, after Sejanus suggests that he marry Drusus' widow Livia, argues that he or the senate cannot approve the marriage since Sejanus belongs to a lower social class.
Tone
Use cases
Library metadata only. SceneFiend never includes script text here - pick up the published version to rehearse.
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