Nero, the bloody poet

At the heart of Dezső Kosztolányi's novel is Nero, the dilettante poet-emperor, who ascends the throne as a well-meaning young man, so that many hope to be a balanced, serene ruler of the empire. However, the desire of the gentle, young Nero to be known and loved for his art diverts him from his original goals. He envies anyone who is talented, so he tries to extort artistic success with the power of power. He kills his half-brother, confronts his educator, Seneca, and because he feels wiser than himself, he persecutes. His environment terrifies him, for death is the death of all those who do not like the emperor who has become a tyrant, with applause and praise.