Quo Vadis · Chapter
Chapter II explained
Vinicius passionately declares his love to Lygia in the garden at sunset, comparing his feelings to the devotion of Titus for Berenice.
What happens
Vinicius passionately declares his love to Lygia in the garden at sunset, comparing his feelings to the devotion of Titus for Berenice. Lygia listens with a mixture of alarm and fascination. Old Aulus interrupts them, speaking of his desire to retire to Sicily. Petronius arrives and engages in refined conversation with Pomponia Graecina, quoting Homer to Lygia, who responds with a verse from the Odyssey. Petronius and Vinicius then leave, discussing the fickle mob and Nero's tyranny, with Petronius giving Vinicius a copy of his Satyricon. They proceed to the house of Aulus, noting its unusual lack of chains on the doorkeepers.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Sacrifice
Vinicius's passionate declaration to Lygia emphasizes love as a force that equals the gods, contrasting with the vanity of riches and power.
Decadence and Excess
Petronius's cynical remarks about Nero's poetry and the mob's fickleness highlight the moral decay and excess of Roman society.
Characters to notice
- Marcus Vinicius
Declares his love to Lygia in the garden, comparing his passion to that of Titus for Berenice.
- Lygia
Listens to Vinicius's declaration with alarm and astonishment; later responds to Petronius with a line from Homer.
- Aulus Plautius
Interrupts Vinicius and Lygia, speaks of retiring to Sicily, and shows pride in Lygia's Greek learning.
- Petronius
Arrives at the house, converses with Pomponia, quotes Homer to Lygia, and later discusses Nero and the mob with Vinicius.
- Pomponia Graecina
Receives Petronius's compliments, speaks of domestic quiet, and is noted for her unusual freshness and dark robes.
Key passages
“But thou knowest of Vespasian’s son Titus? They say that he had scarcely ceased to be a youth when he so loved Berenice that grief almost drew the life out of him. So could I too love, O Lygia!”
Vinicius compares his love for Lygia to the legendary devotion of Titus for Berenice, suggesting his passion is equally profound.
Vinicius uses a historical example to express the depth of his feelings.
“I supplicate thee, O queen, whether thou art some goddess or a mortal! If thou art one of the daughters of men who dwell on earth, thrice blessed are thy father and thy lady mother, and thrice blessed thy brethren.”
Petronius greets Lygia with a line from Homer's Odyssey, comparing her to the princess Nausikaa.
Petronius employs Greek poetry to flatter Lygia, showcasing his sophistication.
“Stranger, thou seemest no evil man nor foolish.”
Lygia responds to Petronius with Nausikaa's reply from the Odyssey, demonstrating her knowledge of Greek literature.
Lygia's response surprises Petronius and pleases Aulus, highlighting her education.