Line #33 Literature/QuoVadis


1	[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/domine_quo_vadis.jpg]]
2	%%[[caption-width-right:300:''"It is not enough to live well. One must die well."'']]
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4	A HistoricalFiction novel set in AncientRome, ''Quo Vadis'' (1896) is internationally the most well-known work of Polish writer Henryk Sienkiewicz, also known for the ''Literature/SienkiewiczTrilogy''. ''Quo Vadis'' tells the story of a romance between Marcus Vinicius, a young pagan Roman officer, and Lygia, a Christian barbarian princess raised in a Roman household. The novel is set during the events surrounding the Great Fire of Rome of AD 64, including the Roman persecution of Christians.
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6	The title comes from a Christian legend, which recounts that as St. Peter was fleeing Rome as a result of persecution, he saw a vision of [[UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}} Christ]] and asked Him, ''Domine, quo vadis?'' ("Lord, where are you going?") -- to which the reply was "I go to be crucified again." Thus realizing that he was abandoning the faithful of Rome to their fates, Peter returned to the city, where he was subsequently martyred.
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8	''Quo Vadis'' has been adapted to the screen several times, including a 1951 film directed by Creator/MervynLeRoy (starring Creator/RobertTaylor, Creator/DeborahKerr, and Creator/PeterUstinov as UsefulNotes/{{Nero}}, with a young Creator/SophiaLoren as an uncredited extra) and a 2001 film directed by Jerzy Kawalerowicz.
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11	!!This book contains examples of:
12	* AuthorAppeal: Lygia hails from the Lugii, an ancient tribe that (supposedly) lived in present day Poland during the time of the Roman Empire, possibly an example of GeniusBonus by the author, who was Polish.
13	* BetterToDieThanBeKilled: [[spoiler: Petronius is more than aware his fate has already been sealed, so instead he commits suicide]] while reading aloud a huge TakeThat to Nero. For a book all about Christian values, this choice is still portrayed as a noble one, rather than one of the ultimate sins.
14	* BrokenPedestal: Lygia already has a crush on Vinicius and hopes he will use his influence at court to help her get back to Aulus and Pomponia. Then he tries to rape her at the feast and admits that ''he'' was the one behind her kidnapping. The poor girl is heartbroken.
15	* TheCaligula: Emperor Nero's rule came soon after the TropeNamer, and was remembered as being little better.
16	* ChristianityIsCatholic: The book takes place in very early days of Christianity, before there were any denominations as we would recognize them today, but it is pretty obvious that the book follows the history of Christianity as taught by the Roman Catholic Church; Peter is very clearly considered Christ's representative on Earth and even quotes the famous Bible verse used in favor of Papacy "Upon this Rock, I will build my Church". And he does get crucified upside down, very much a Catholic tradition. While he never gets referred to as "Pope", it's quite obvious that this is what the story is aiming for in his role. This is justified since Henryk Sienkiewicz was a Roman Catholic (like most of his native Poland).
17	* ChronicBackstabbingDisorder: Chilon. After switching sides so many times it makes you dizzy and causing so much harm to all the good guys, he ends up completely broken.
18	* ConcertClimax: At a gladiatorial arena.
19	* CruelAndUnusualDeath: Let's just say Nero get ''creative'' when he starts persecuting the Christians. They are, in various groups:
20	** [[spoiler:Sewn up in the skins of animals, thrown into the arena, and torn apart by wild beasts.]]
21	** [[spoiler:Forced to [[FatalActingMethod re-enact fatal historical and mythological roles]], such as Icarus.]]
22	** [[spoiler:Crucified.]]
23	** [[spoiler:Dressed in clothes covered in pitch, tied to posts, and burned alive.]] At this point [[EveryoneHasStandards even the Romans express unease.]]
24	** Also, the individual death of [[spoiler:Chilon. Tortured, has his tongue ripped out, dragged onto a theater, crucified, and left there to be EatenAlive by a bear.]] [[EveryoneHasStandards The Romans' unease becomes straight-up disgust.]]
25	--->No one laughed, for there was in that [[spoiler:crucified man]] something so calm, he seemed so old, so defenceless, so weak, calling for so much pity with his lowliness, that each one asked himself unconsciously how it was possible to [[spoiler:torture and nail to crosses]] men who would die soon in any case. The crowd was silent. [...] Others were looking for [[spoiler:the bear]], [[MercyKill wishing the spectacle to end at the earliest]].
26	* DamselInDistress: Poor Lygia. First she is separated from her loving adoptive family, gets assaulted by Marcus, then gets accused by Poppaea of cursing little Augusta, then gets imprisoned for her faith, falls terribly sick in prison and is nearly killed on the arena. Her strong faith is the only thing that keeps her going.
27	* DateRapeAverted: Ursus defends Lygia from Vinicius' unwanted advances at Nero's feast.
28	* DeadpanSnarker: Petronius. Which is why we love him.
29	* DrivenToSuicide: [[spoiler: Several courtiers of Nero have been, in the past. Petronius on page. Eunice, for whom he's the entire world, joins him.]]
30	* FaceDeathWithDignity:
31	** The Christians who are killed in the persecution die in such a noble way that they make the executioners look like criminals (as Petronius points out).
32	** [[spoiler: Petronius himself prefers suicide over what might happen to him]].
33	* FairestOfThemAll: Poppaea is very slighted when she realizes Lygia is more beautiful than her.
34	* {{Fanservice}}: For a novel with such a pro-Christian message, the author goes into quite some detail describing the Romans' debauched activities.
35	* FedToTheBeast: [[spoiler:Christians are fed to massive dogs and lions in a truly gruesome scene.]]
36	* FlorenceNightingaleEffect: Vinicius was obsessed with Lygia for a long time, but after he's wounded and she nurses him (partway) back to health, he starts to see her as a person and truly care for her, rather than just lusting after Lygia's pretty looks.
37	* TheFundamentalist: In his sermons, Crispus always focuses on the terrible punishment of sinners which no one can escape rather than on God's love and mercy. He is called out by St. Peter for calling Lygia's love for Vinicius a sin, and later by St. Paul for frightening the future martyrs. His faith, however, is genuine, even if his interpretation of it is misguided: after St. Paul calls him out, Crispus is honestly remorseful for having sinned in his dying hour.
38	* GentleGiant: Ursus is an enormous, incredibly strong man and a kind, devout Christian.
39	* GoodIsNotSoft: Ursus is calm, gentle and devoted Christian, but he won't hesitate for a second to kill you with his bare hands if you try to harm Lygia. It's sort of automatic for him, which makes him a little AfraidOfTheirOwnStrength.
40	* GorgeousGreek: Eunice is a stunningly beautiful and graceful girl from Kos.
41	* TheGreatFire: The historical Great Fire of Rome is described in detail when Vinicius has to rescue Lygia from the flames.
42	* HappilyAdopted: Lygia, by Pomponia and Aulus.
43	* HappilyMarried: Pomponia and Aulus. They're a perfect family, possibly the only one in Rome.
44	* HappinessInSlavery: Eunice. One must admit that Petronius treats his home slaves [[DeliberateValuesDissonance pretty well]]. Also, Eunice is utterly in love with him (so much she can't stand the thought of leaving his house).
45	* HeelFaithTurn: Vinicius, [[spoiler:then Chilon]].
46	* HistoricalDomainCharacter: Petronius, Nero, Poppaea, Saint Peter and Saint Paul all play prominent roles.
47	* HistoricalVillainUpgrade: Nero almost certainly never burned Rome though he did use the Christians as scapegoats when the public thought he did.
48	* IgnoredEnamoredUnderling: Eunice adores her master Petronius, who is at first unaware of that and is shocked when she tearfully refuses to be Vinicius's concubine. Then, however, he finds it out, and they are blissfully happy together, if for a very short while.
49	* LoveAtFirstSight: Downplayed; more like lust at first sight, but eventually leading to True Love which [[LoveRedeems redeems]] Vinicius.
50	* LoveMartyr: Acte, the only person in the world who still loves Nero, having fallen in love with the good person he used to be.
51	* LoveRedeems: Vinicius's love for Lygia moves him to [[CharacterDevelopment grow]] from an impetuous hotheaded warmonger into a loving, compassionate person.
52	* ManlyTears: The tribune of the Praetorians [[spoiler:giving the thumbs up to Ursus, Lygia, and Vinicius]].
53	* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: [[spoiler:Chilon after seeing people he sold out being burned alive. The fact that they forgive him leads to his HeelFaithTurn.]]
54	* ProfessionalButtKisser: Nero's court. Anyone who won't kiss the aforementioned butt is liable to be DrivenToSuicide. Or worse.
55	* QuestioningTitle: Although it ''is'' quoting a question, the novel's title does not itself contain a question mark.
56	* RedemptionEqualsDeath: [[spoiler:Chilon. After he takes a HeelFaithTurn, he's tortured to death along with the other Christians.]]
57	* RunningGag: Petronius' dislike of craftsmen and him comparing others' rude or barbaric behaviour to different occupations. ("Calm thyself," said Petronius. "Thou hast the longing of a carpenter from the Subura.")
58	* SaintlyChurch: The early Christian church in Rome is portrayed in such a manner. Its members live simple, happy lives, standing above the depraved environment surrounding them.
59	* SanitySlippage: Nero is already unhinged at the start of the novel but grows more and more so over the course of it. By the final chapters, he is executing even his previously loyal followers left and right.
60	* TheScapegoat: After burning down Rome, Nero worries that the people will turn against him, and considers pinning the blame on one of this courtiers. Chilon convinces him to blame Christians as a whole instead.
61	* StalkerWithACrush: Vinicius, for the first couple of chapters. He does everything to get Lygia brought to his house, hardly dwelling on the fact that she might not be willing or that she might be devastated to part from Aulus and Pomponia.
62	* TakeThat: [[spoiler: Petronius' suicide note]] is an enormous one to Nero. To the point of stating that his wanton slaughter and destruction of Rome is still ''way'' less abhorrent than his [[TerribleArtist art]].
63	-->'''Petronius''': ''To Nero, Emperor of Rome, Master of the World, Divine Pontiff. I know that my death will be a disappointment to you, since you wished to render me this service yourself. To be born in your reign is a miscalculation; but to die in it is a joy. I can forgive you for murdering your wife and your mother, for burning our beloved Rome, for befouling our fair country with the stench of your crimes. But one thing I cannot forgive - the boredom of having to listen to your verses, your second-rate songs, your mediocre performances. Adhere to your special gifts, Nero - murder and arson, betrayal and terror. Mutilate your subjects if you must; but with my last breath I beg you - do not mutilate the arts. Fare well, but compose no more music. Brutalize the people, but do not bore them, as you have bored to death your friend, the late Gaius Petronius.''
64	* TheseHandsHaveKilled: Ursus racks up quite the body count (using just his bare hands) but he regrets every single death.
65	* TogetherInDeath:
66	** Vinicius and Lygia are looking forward to being united only in Heaven when they are expecting Lygia to either die of fever or get killed at the arena, and when they are able to live HappilyEverAfter in the earthly life, they are doubly happy in the knowledge that they won't be parted after death either.
67	** Eunice chooses to die in her beloved Petronius's arms rather than inherit all his riches and live in comfort as a freedwoman.
68	* WickedCultured: For all his faults, Nero does love poetry and music.
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71	!!The movies also have examples of:
72	* AdaptationalDyeJob:
73	** Lygia is described as having dark hair in the book, whereas in both versions of the movie she has reddish-blond to [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold straight blond hair]].
74	** Eunice is blonde in the novel, but in the 1951 film she's played by the dark-haired Marina Berti.
75	* ArtisticLicenseHistory:
76	** Petronius and Vinicius are shown playing chess, which even in primitive form wouldn't be invented for a couple of centuries after this time setting and wouldn't reach Europe until several centuries after that.
77	** Nero would never have been able to get away with crucifying, let alone burning alive, a Roman citizen of the Senatorial class like Aulus Plautius, regardless of whether he was a Christian (even St. Paul wasn't crucified due to his Roman citizenship). It's also believed that the Aulus Plautius Nero killed was not the general but a younger relation.
78	** Popaea was killed by Nero several years before in death in AD 68 and reportedly kicked her to death rather than strangling her, though some historians think she may have died in childbirth.
79	** Tigellinus committed suicide the year after Nero's death rather than being killed before him.
80	** The downfall of Nero is considerably simplified with several events compressed although the sense that Nero wasted his time rather than decisely deal with rebellion is accurate.
81	* AsYouKnow: "You'll spend some time with me, before rushing off to your estate in Sicily?"
82	* ButLiquorIsQuicker: Vinicius gives Lydia a goblet of wine and calls it "the panacea for all reticence."
83	* CastingGag: In the 2001 adaptation, Nero, who is HollywoodToneDeaf, is played by [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michal_Bajor Michał Bajor]] - a sung poetry performer, very famous in Poland for his high vocal skills.
84	* EstablishingCharacterMoment: Nero singing a song horribly while carping at his lute players over how to play said song, while one slave gives him a pedicure and another styles his hair.
85	* FaceDeathWithDignity: St. Peter, Aulus Plautius, Pomponia... everyone but the villains fit the bill.
86	* GodivaHair: Notably when Lygia is tied on the bull in the 2001 movie.
87	* HeadbuttOfLove: In the ending of the 2001 movie.
88	* HeroOfAnotherStory: Aulus Plautius conquered Britain for Rome and defeated the Lygians.
89	* HollywoodToneDeaf: Nero's singing.
90	* LadyMacbeth: Nero has Pomponia executed on this excuse.
91	* LargeHam: Peter Ustinov as ''Nero?'' Yes, please.
92	* LastSupperSteal: A live-action recreation of the painting as Peter recounts the scene to the congregation in Rome.
93	* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Chilon is struck with remorse when he sees the Christians being killed, especially when Glaucus is burned and forgives Chilon with his dying breath.
94	* NeckSnap: Ursus does this to ''a goddamn bull''.
95	* NeverMyFault: Nero first blames Poppaea for being his "evil genius" when he strangles her and then claims to Acte that it's not his fault the gods made him a monster.
96	* PromotedToLoveInterest:
97	** Downplayed, in the sense of "promoted to lust object", with Vinicius for Poppaea in the 1951 film. In the book, her lust for him is a short flight of fancy that comes and passes in the middle of the book, and she is more furious that he spurned her for ''Lygia'' than that ''he'' spurned her. In the film, she is very attracted to him from the beginning.
98	** Inverted for the 2001 film, where Poppaea's attraction to Vinicius isn't included.
99	* PsychopathicManChild / SissyVillain: Nero as portrayed in both film versions is capricious, self-absorbed, and effeminate.
100	* PutOnABus: Paul has a prominent supporting role in the first part of the film, but vanishes afterward and is mentioned to have gone to Greece at some point offscreen. Odd since he's also believed to have died during Nero's persecutions.
101	* PuttingOnTheReich: Directly choreographed from ''Film/TriumphOfTheWill''.
102	* SparedByTheAdaptation: St. Paul is traditionally held to have died during the Neroian Persecution, but here he escapes death altogether by getting PutOnABus.
103	* ThisIsWhatTheBuildingWillLookLike: Nero with his plans of what the new Rome will look like--as long as something like, say, a fire gets rid of all the stuff already there.
104	* TitleDrop: As per the legend, Peter says "Quo vadis, Domine?" on the way out of town.
105	* VirginInAWhiteDress: In the 2001 movie, pure and virtuous Lygia always wears a simple white dress.
106	* WhileRomeBurns: Quite literally, since the TropeNamer is one of the key characters.

Context Literature / QuoVadis