# Scene I explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Thomas Gray.

## What happens

Agrippina receives Nero's orders to leave for Antium, but her response is defiant and bitter. She recalls how she elevated Nero to power and now feels betrayed by his ingratitude. Aceronia warns her of the dangers of provoking Nero, but Agrippina plots revenge, threatening to raise legions and invoke the spirit of liberty against her son.

## Themes in this chapter

### Ambition and Fame

Agrippina's speech is driven by her ambition to retain power and her resentment at Nero's ingratitude, recalling how she 'opened his young eye to bear the blaze of greatness'.

### Suffering and Adversity

Agrippina's sense of betrayal and her threats of revenge reflect the suffering caused by political rivalry and familial conflict.

### Melancholy and Reflection

Aceronia's cautious warnings and Agrippina's bitter recollections of past sacrifices create a tone of reflective melancholy.

## Character check-ins

### Agrippina

Defiant and vengeful, she recalls her role in Nero's rise and threatens to use her influence to oppose him.

### Nero

Referenced as the 'stripling' emperor who has ordered his mother to Antium; Agrippina accuses him of ingratitude.

### Anicetus

Mentioned as the messenger who delivers Nero's orders to Agrippina.

### Seneca

Referenced as one of Nero's advisors, skilled in 'gorgeous phrase of laboured eloquence'.

### Claudius

Invoked as 'Enshrined Claudius' among the victims of Agrippina's ambition.

### Sylla

Mentioned as a potential rival to Nero, with friends who might support Agrippina's cause.

## Key lines

> Tell your master, His mother shall obey him.

Inform Nero that I will comply with his command.

_Agrippina sarcastically agrees to obey Nero's order to leave for Antium._

> If the son reign, the mother perishes. Perish (you cried) the mother! reign the son!

The prophecy said that if Nero rules, I must die, and I accepted that fate for his sake.

_Aceronia recalls Agrippina's willingness to sacrifice herself for Nero's reign._

> Say'st thou I must be cautious, must be silent, And tremble at the phantom I have raised?

You tell me to be careful and quiet, but I will not fear the monster I created.

_Agrippina rejects Aceronia's advice to be prudent, asserting her power over Nero._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_23_se/chapters/scene-i
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_23_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_23_se/chapters