Isn't Nero a fascinating character?
(Repulsive, of course, with his megalomaniacal
malignant narcissism, but at the same time perversely irresistible.
Can you get over your
disgust and find in yourself the fascination and curiosity for this pathological psychopathic personality?
COMMENT and REPLY to an intriguing comment.
No, I cannot get over my disgust of Nero because his actions negatively affect the lives of many people throughout the film. He is a murderer who killed his mother and wife and, he may have also killed many people by burning Rome.
ReplyDeleteHe declares that wants a new Rome, and it will be called Neropolis, City of Nero. He burns Rome to achieve this end, “Rome is a sea of flames! It burns from rim to rim!” shouted Tegillinus.
After incinerating Rome, he takes Poppaea’s advice to “give the people what they want, give them blood and vengeance. Not one victim, but a thousand.” She emphasizes that this will turn “the people’s suspicion into a more beneficial direction.” He proclaims that the guilt of the burning of Rome rests with the Christians and he will bring justice to Rome by exterminating the Christians. Nero later strangled Poppaea for using the Christians as a scapegoat.
I definitely see your point, I am disgusted by Nero, yet I also feel he believes that he superior to those he rules, He is a product of those who surround him (Petronius is one exception to this) and the unscrupulous people that surround him. So is it REALLY Nero who is the sole villain?
DeleteHi Melissa,
DeleteYou and I both view Nero the same way. I definitely agree with you on this. I cannot understand how someone could be so cold hearted and murder their own flesh and blood. I also agree that his negative actions affected the lives of many people.
Despite the fact that Nero was portrayed as incompetent, cruel and comic clown, I cannot not point out that there is something irresistible in his character. I am definitely curious about his pathological psychopathic personality. Nero gets toddler’s angry mood swings if something doesn’t go his way and he is in constant need for flattery and attention. He is amusing in some scenes and repulsive in others. I am fascinated how full of himself he is to believe that he is gifted by divinity. But I am also disgusted by his outrages acts such as murdering his mother and wives as well as setting the whole city on fire.
ReplyDeleteHi Kristina, I was very intrigued by the divinity thing as well. Even the Kings and Queens of England thought they were divine. I read somewhere a long time ago that this theory of the Divine Right was used to instill obedience by explaining why social ranks were required to obey their government.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI do believe Nero is a fascinating character. He displays angry outbursts when he feels like his orders are not being followed or he is being slighted. Nero’s violent and angry personality can be seen right away when he kicks the slave girl who hurts his foot and has her taken away, and how angry he gets when he believes Vinicius brought his army into the city when he ordered them to wait outside the walls. He is also extremely narcissistic believing his is a devine gift and will go to any means necessary to achieve what he wants, even the most extreme actions such as killing his family and even burning Rome in its entirety to make way for his new city. It is amazing and scary to believe that empires can be lead by such monsters.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Fan. He gets irritated easily. I don't know if I'm the only one feeling like he seems bored. Although he is the emperor he doesn't seem like he wants to do his job. He seems lazy and doesn't care for the people.
DeleteI was entertained by the naïveté Nero displays throughout the movie. Despite his ruthless means, I did find myself laughing at him, but never liking him. He acts child-like. He even makes faces that resemble how a child would look. He is so easily influenced by those around him-- Petronius especially. When Nero asks about his thoughts when seeing Lygia at the celebration, Petronius tells Nero he's sure, being how wise Nero was, that Nero had already decided that Lygia "was too narrow in the hips" for him to consider as a conquest. Nero never realized Petronius was controlling him. Nero believes Petronius is the "only one who appreciates his genius".
ReplyDeleteNero never infers the double meaning in Petronius's comments. especially evidenced during Nero's song composing and singing. Nero asks Petronius about a verse, if it was worthy of him (Nero) and Petronius begins his comment with "Omnipotent is most feeble, puerile". It is evident he referring to Nero.
Petronius has such disgust for Nero, he feels compelled to write a final note to let Nero know how much.
I took Nero's reaction to Petronius' thought of Lygia being too narrow in the hips not so much as being influenced, but as stealing his idea. It came across to me that here was the perfect excuse laid out in front of him, and that he better snatch it up quick so that everyone else would believe that it was his real sentiment.
DeleteI find it quite easy to enter into the fascination and curiosity for Nero as a character. I can understand his point of view that this was a life that he was never meant to live, and that he really just wanted to be an artist. But because he is a world ruler who also believes he’s a god, his greatest masterpiece just happens to involve destroying all of Rome. And when he speaks of being tortured, lonely, and that it’s all too much for him, I end up having sympathy for someone who is just reacting to being in the wrong body/circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI can't find it within myself to not find Nero disguting. I would say he's dumb and doesn't seem like a mature emperor. He is in the palace enjoying his life being pampered while all the people of Rome are slaving for him. The people seems like they don't even enjoy him singing but because he is the emperor they have to pretend to like it.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree. I find him very immature as well. I also believe, that people of Rome share that point of view as well. They treat him politely, because he is their master, but not with respect.
DeleteI feel like Nero indeed, is a remarkable character. He is ridiculous and egoistic, sometimes childish and absolutely repulsive. While watching the film, I could not stop wondering, how far he can go. He is not a likable character, not even roman citizens liked him, but he is definitely one of the most memorable characters.
ReplyDeleteI 100% agree with you. He is a emperor with a child's mind, which is quite intriguing.
DeleteI don't think Nero is a fascinating character. He is the emperor of Rome. He did not do things for his people. Instead, he loved to listened attentively to those who liked and fooled. I think he is incompetent, cruel, and manipulated by his courtiers.
ReplyDeleteEvery leader has their strength and weaknesses. However, Nero's weakness was his mental sanity and not a single strength.
DeleteI agree with you.
DeleteNero is quite fascinating in my eyes. How can a ruler of an empire be so soft and easily manipulated? I can recall in one scene that Nero changed his mind 3 different times as Petronius talked to him. However, just because he does seem to act as if he is a chid, he can be see at times as truly "crazy" as shown when he ordered the burning of Rome.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was fascinating how Petronius knew exactly how to talk to him in order to get what he wanted.
DeleteNero is a great character. He's a man who is put into the position of being a son of a god and the emperor of the largest empire in the world and he's just inept. All he really wants is to write a great song but he thinks he has to have tragedy to do so. So, he creates it by killing his mother and wife or setting Rome on fire. It's awful in reality but it's hilarious in the movie.
ReplyDeleteSame thoughts here!!!
DeleteI always thought Emperors were awesome but eventually discovered that a lot of them were blood lust maniacs. Nero is of them. He is indeed interesting. I can get over myself with that fact because I know that I'd be a better person, emperor or not.
ReplyDelete