# The Argument explained — Poetry > Chapter companion for Poetry by Thomas Gray. ## What happens The drama opens with Agrippina's indignation at receiving orders from her son Nero, delivered by Anicetus, to leave Baiae and surrender her guard. Otho secretly brings Poppaea to Baiae, entrusting her to Anicetus. Nero, not yet arrived, sends Seneca ahead to accuse Agrippina regarding Rubellius Plancus; she clears herself and demands to see Nero, who acquits her. Anicetus betrays Otho by arranging for Nero to see Poppaea, who feigns resistance but is drawn to imperial power. Otho, enraged but unaware of the betrayal, is persuaded by Anicetus to meet Agrippina, who promises support. Anicetus secretly brings Nero to overhear them, prompting Nero to resolve on his mother's death via a contrived shipwreck. Agrippina survives the attempt. Otho, duped again, plans to flee with Poppaea to Greece, but Anicetus instead delivers Poppaea to Nero's apartment. Poppaea encourages Nero to banish Otho and finish the murder. Anicetus leads a guard to kill Agrippina at Baiae. The drama concludes with Agrippina's death and Nero's horror and remorse. ## Themes in this chapter ### Ambition and Fame Poppaea is dazzled by the prospect of empire and joins the plot to ruin Agrippina, while Agrippina seeks to maintain her own power by supporting Otho. ### Suffering and Adversity Agrippina endures accusations, a murder attempt by shipwreck, and ultimately is killed by Anicetus's guard, while Nero experiences horror and fruitless remorse. ### Melancholy and Reflection The drama concludes with Nero's horror and remorse after his mother's death, reflecting on the tragic consequences of his actions. ## Character check-ins ### Agrippina Receives orders from Nero via Anicetus to leave Baiae and surrender her guard; later clears herself of accusations and is acquitted by Nero, but ultimately murdered by Anicetus's guard. ### Nero Sends orders to Agrippina via Anicetus, acquits her after Seneca's accusation, overhears her conversation with Otho, and resolves to kill her; later experiences horror and remorse after her death. ### Poppaea Brought secretly to Baiae by Otho, entrusted to Anicetus, seen by Nero, feigns resistance but is drawn to imperial power; joins Anicetus's plot, encourages Nero to banish Otho and kill Agrippina. ### Anicetus Delivers Nero's orders to Agrippina, betrays Otho by arranging Nero's sight of Poppaea, plots with Poppaea to ruin Agrippina, contrives the shipwreck and later leads the guard to murder Agrippina. ### Seneca Sent by Nero to Baiae to accuse Agrippina of conspiracy regarding Rubellius Plancus. ### Otho Brings Poppaea to Baiae, entrusts her to Anicetus, becomes enraged when Nero sees her, meets Agrippina in secret, plans to flee with Poppaea to Greece but is duped by Anicetus and Poppaea. ## Key lines > The drama opens with the indignation of Agrippina at receiving her son’s orders from Anicetus to remove from Baiae, and to have her guard taken from her. The play begins with Agrippina's anger upon being told by Anicetus that her son Nero commands her to leave Baiae and give up her personal guard. _Establishes the initial conflict and Agrippina's defiance._ > Anicetus secretly introduces Nero to hear their discourse; who resolves immediately on his mother’s death, and, by Anicetus’s means, to destroy her by drowning. Anicetus secretly brings Nero to listen to Agrippina and Otho's conversation, prompting Nero to decide at once to kill his mother, planning with Anicetus to drown her. _Key turning point where Nero commits to matricide._ > The account of her death, and the Emperor’s horror and fruitless remorse, finishes the drama. The play ends with the report of Agrippina's murder and Nero's shock and useless regret. _Concludes the tragedy with Nero's emotional aftermath._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_23_se/chapters/the-argument - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_23_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_23_se/chapters