Monologue

Sejanus Monologue from Sejanus His Fall

From Sejanus His Fall by Ben Jonson

male · dark · 1:40 min

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This second, from his mother, will well urge Our late design, and spur on Cæsar’s rage; Which else might grow remiss. The way to put A prince in blood, is to present the shapes Of dangers, greater than they are, like late, Or early shadows; and, sometimes, to feign Where there are none, only to make him fear? His fear will make him cruel: and once enter’d, He doth not easily learn to stop, or spare Where he may doubt. This have I made my rule, To thrust Tiberius into tyranny, And make him toil, to turn aside those blocks, Which I alone could not remove with safety, Drusus once gone, Germanicus’ three sons Would clog my way; whose guards have too much faith To be corrupted: and their mother known Of too, too unreproved a chastity, To be attempted, as light Livia was. Work then, my art, on Cæsar’s fears, as they On those they fear ’till all my lets be clear’d, And he in ruins of his house, and hate Of all his subjects, bury his own state; When with my peace and safety, I will rise, By making him the public sacrifice. (Exit.)

About this piece

Sejanus is plotting to manipulate Cæsar's fears to eliminate his rivals and secure his own power, revealing his ruthless ambition and the dark nature of political machinations.

30s · determination · power · betrayal · ambition · revenge

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