Drusus Senior, Tiberius' son, enters. He has a reputation not unlike Prince Hal's, but the "Agrippina group" sees him maturing and are thereby encouraged to hope that his rule will bring promise. The especially like him for his oppostition to Sejanus, Caesar's favorite. They additionally approve of the fact that Drusus Senior favors his kinsmen, Nero, Drusus Junior, and Caligula, the children of Germanicus and Agrippina. They revere Germanicus' memory.

Sejanus enters and is implored to favor a physician named Eudemus. Eudemus is physician to Livia, Drusus Senior's wife. Sejanus concocts a plan to use this Eudemus and bids him to be sent for.

The "Agrippina group" deplore Sejanus' wielding of Caesar's power. They fear he has plans to take the throne himself.

When Sejanus meets with Eudemus, he promises the physician favors in return for acting as bawd between himself and Livia. He plans to seduce Livia into a conspiracy against her husband, Drusus Senior. Eudemus tells him that he can meet Livia in the physician's garden that very day.

Tiberius enters and makes a show of being a humble ruler, beseeching men not to kneel before him or flatter him. He nevertheless listens willingly to Sejanus' flattery. His hypocracy is deplored by the "Agrippina group." Tiberius refuses to allow a suit to raise a statue to him in Spain. He does, however, allow a statue to be built of Sejanus in Pompey's theatre, which Sejanus helped save from fire. Cordus, the historian, sees the statue as a sacrilege to noble Pompey's memory.

Drusus Senior meets Sejanus in the streets. They exchange words before Drusus strikes Sejanus and draws his sword upon him. Sejanus retires. The crowd dub Drusus "Castor" for his bravery. Sejanus secretly vows to be revenged and begins setting his dark plots into action against Drusus/Castor.

Sejanus gloats that adultery will be the least of his crimes.

Tiberius meets Sejanus and mentions his unease over Agrippina and her group. He fears the rumor of his secret murder of Germanicus will breed a civil revolt and place Agrippina in power. Sejanus counsels him to lull them into a sense of security by giving the group favors and then strike them when they least expect it. Tiberius confesses that had been his very plan. Sejanus suggests that they make an example of the great general Caius Silius, a central figure in the "Agrippina group". This will frighten the rest of them into compliance.

Sejanus' spies report that Agrippina's group has become cautious, speaking only in coded notes to one another. Sejanus suggests that these people openly profess their guilt merely by congregating at Agrippina's house. He sends messengers to Augusta, Tiberius' mother, to inform her of the danger posed by Agrippina. This message is a ruse calculated to worry Tiberius into believing the Agrippina threat is greater than it actually is. Sejanus plans to manipulate Tiberius' rage and direct it against his own enemies to make his rise to the throne all the easier.

In Agrippina's house the group sees Afer the orator, who is skilled and bringing supposed criminals to conviction in the Senate. Silius warns Agrippina of Sejanus' spies, but she thinks the general is too suspicious.

News arrives that Drusus/Castor is dying. Silius immediately suspects that Sejanus has colluded with Livia to poison him. He has heard a rumor that the two of them have met in Eudemus' garden. Silius suspects that Sejanus "hath plots on all" of them.

In the Senate, Silius is called to answer charges. This surprises the Senators. Before Silius can answer the charges, however, Tiberius enters with his nephews, Nero, Drusus Junior, and Caligula. He seeks to have the Senate grant the boys preferments. It is a trick hatched between Tiberius and Sejanus to divert suspicion from their plans to remove the throne from Agrippina's group.

Silius is accused of extortion and treason. He denies the allegations brilliantly but realizes that political considerations must see him convicted. He draws his sword and kills himself on the Senate floor rather than bend to the tyranny of Tiberius.

Tiberius, now that the danger has passed, feigns that he had every intention of granting Silius a full pardon. Sosia, Silius' wife, is ordered to be arrested and her lands forfeited to the state.

Cordus the historian is brought into the Senate house and made to answer charges of writing seditious material. He defends himself to a stalemate. Tiberius orders him imprisoned and held over to the next sitting before he will pass judgement. In the meantime, the historian's books are ordered burned.

Tiberius and Sejanus determine to target Sabinius next. Tiberius had wanted it to be Arruntius, but Sejanus argues that he is too outspoken. In his rabble rousing Arruntius encourages Tiberius' enemies to reveal themselves. He should therefore be spared for the time being and used as bait.

Sejanus takes his opportunity to ask Caesar to give him Livia in marriage. Tiberius balks at making Sejanus a close relative. He says that he doubts Livia will marry again and if she did it would not be to a commoner such as Sejanus. Tiberius also doubts that the people would like to see the despised Sejanus placed so high through such a marriage. Sejanus relents.

Sejanus arranges to have Tiberius decide to go to Capri and sate his libidinous desires. While Caesar is away, Sejanus plans to take control of the state himself.

Sejanus has unwittingly revealed himself, however, and Tiberius suspects through the request to marry Livia that Sejanus has designs on the throne. He determines to place Macro, another court sycophant, in a favored place. He believes that while the two Machiavellian favorites grapple, he will be able to consolidate his own position.

Macro promises loyalty to Caesar, vowing to kill his own mother and defame his sister if Caesar so bids. In truth, he hopes to unseat Sejanus and become the powerful man behind Tiberius himself.

Agrippina fears for the safety of her sons.

Macro is disturbed by Sejanus' new found power and favor. He realizes he must strike swiftly or lose his opportunity.

Latiaris sneaks spies into Agrippina's house and hides them. He brings in Sabinus and tricks him into saying that Tiberius is lustful. The spies leap upon Sabinus and accuse him of treason before leading him away.

Macro's plot to undermine Sejanus begins when he flees from Rome with Caligula.

Arruntius and Lepidus wonder when they will be caught up in Tiberius' plan to eliminate Agrippina's group. They bemoan Sejanus' tyrannies. Nero enters under arrest for treason. They learn that Agrippina herself is under arrest at Pndataria. Arruntius is enraged by the tyranny.

Arruntius and Lepidus overhear messangers from Caesar. They have been carrying conflicting messages from Caesar. Some commend Sejanus, some condemn him. One message raises one of Sejanus' friends, another casts a friend down. Now the Senate does not know how to treat Sejanus. No one knows Caesar's will. Sejanus' plans are stymied by the event. Other rumors are that Caligula is with Macro because Macro's wife is feeding the young man's lust.

A messenger comes with news that Sejanus' statue at Pompey's theatre has begun to spout black smoke. Sejanus sends word to have the head removed and the prank discovered. News arrives that when the head was removed a huge snake leapt from the statue.

Sejanus is reminded of other ill omens: the breaking of his bed, the cat that ran between his legs. Sejanus scoffs at superstition, but agrees to have a sacrifice burnt at his personal altar to Fortuna.

More news arrives that Macro has come secretly to Rome and sent word out to every Senator.

Macro plots with Regulus, the consul opposed to Sejanus, and Laco, a general, to call the senators together in the middle of the night. The Senate house will be under guard during their meeting.

The Sejanus faction makes its sacrifice before Fortuna. The statue of the goddess turns her back to them. At the ill omen, Sejanus overturns the idol and forswears all belief in augury. News arrives that Sejanus' statue has had its head restored, but a rope has been found wound around the neck. A meteor has appeared in the sky above Pompey's theatre.

Sejanus calls for additional guards. He comforts himself by remembering how he has hewn down his enemies like trees: Drusus/Castor, Livia (whom he first dishonored), Silius, Sabinus, Cordus, Sosia, Claudia Pulchra, Furnius, and Gallus.

Macro comes to Sejanus and dispells his fears by confiding in him that Caesar means to give Sejanus the "tribunicial" dignity and power. He tells Sejanus that Caligula is in disgrace in Capri and out of harm's way. Sejanus glories in his renewed power and flouts his earlier fears. The news of his rising powers circulates among the Senators. They are all eager to sit beside him in the Senate house.

Lepidus wonders to Arruntius how all of the omens could have been wrong about Sejanus. Arruntius suggests that he is being raised only to fall the farther.

Sejanus is hailed by the Senate. When Caesar's letter recommending Sejanus is read aloud, however, it becomes clear that it is an indictment of his treasons rather than a preferment for high office. Sejanus and his minions, Latiaris and Natta, are arrested and led away. Arruntius and Lepidus rejoice. Arruntius, however, sees in Macro a worse monster than Sejanus.

News comes that the Roman mobs hearing of Sejanus' fall have torn down his statue and dragged it through the town. A messenger reports that Sejanus was sentenced to lose his head. The mob seized the body and tore it to pieces.

More news arrives that Sejanus' two children were also seized. The young daughter was raped by the hangman at Macro's order because of the Roman law forbidding execution of a virgin. Her body and her brother's were thrown into the street. Their mother, enraged, has promised to testify against Livia, Eudemus, and Lygdus.

The mob now laments their rash acts.

Terentius, an erstwhile follower of Sejanus, ends the play by seeing how insolent men can fall by growing proud and careless of the gods.

Agrippina, widow of Germanicus. By having the heart of the people she poses a threat to Tiberius, who vows to remove the throne from her reach. She is arrested and placed on Pandataria.

Arruntius (Lucius), a senator and friend to Agrippina. He is the group's firebrand, an outspoken man. When Tiberius wishes to have him arrested, Sejanus convinces the Emperor that Arruntius is valuable because he encourages the Emperor's enemies into revealing themselves. He and Lepidus act as chorus during the play.

Augusta, the Emperor Tiberius' mother. She does not appear on stage, but Sejanus sends a warning to her in a ruse to convince the Emperor there is an immediate danger from Agrippina and her group.

Caligula (Caius), son of Agrippina. He is abducted by Macro and is last heard of living on Capri and out of favor.

Cordus (Cremutius), a historian and friend to Agrippina. He views the proposed statue of Sejanus in Pompey's theatre as a sacrilege to Pompey's name. He is brought before the Senate and made to answer charges of writing seditious material. He is imprisoned and his books burned.

Cotta, a senator of Sejanus' faction.

Drusus Junior, son of Agrippina.

Drusus Senior, Tiberius' son. He is nicknamed Castor after he beats Sejanus. Sejanus plots with Drusus Senior's wife, Livia, to poison him. When the plan works, Tiberius laments his son's death.

Eudemus, a physician and follower of Sejanus. He arranges the assignation between Sejanus and Livia, Drusus Senior's wife. He also mixes the poison that kills Drusus Senior. At the death of Sejanus, Sejanus' wife is reported to be ready to testify against Eudemus, Livia, and Lygdus.

Flamen, a priest. He makes sacrifice for Sejanus before the altar of Fortuna, but the goddess turns her back upon it.

Gallus (Asinius), a senator and friend to Agrippina. He is one victim over whom Sejanus gloats late in the play.

Haterius (Quintus), a senator of Sejanus' faction.

Laco (Gracinus), commander of the night watch. He is the general who conspires with Macro to have the Senate meet at night behind Sejanus' back.

Latiaris, a senator and a spy, a friend of Sejanus. He tricks Sabinus into treasonous statements while hidden spies overhear him. He and Natta are arrested along with Sejanus at play's end and led away to execution.

Lepidus (Marcus), a senator. He along with Arruntius act as chorus in the play, discussing the events.

Livia, wife to Drusus Senior, daughter-in-law to Tiberius. She conspires with Sejanus to poison her husband. Sejanus asks to marry Livia, but the Emperor fears that such a marriage would bring Sejanus too close to the throne. At play's end Sejanus' wife is reported to be preparing to testify against Livia as well as against Eudemus (the physician who mixes the poison that killed Drusus Senior) and Lygdus (the eunuch cup bearer that administered the poison).

Lygdus, Drusus Senior's eunuch cup bearer. Though not appearing on stage, he is suborned by Livia into poisoning his master. At play's end Sejanus' wife is reported to be preparing to testify against Lygdus and the other two conspirators, Livia and Eudemus.

Macro (sertorius), prefect, creature of the Emperor Tiberius. When Tiberius realizes Sejanus has designs on the throne, he showers favors onto Macro in order to destabilize Sejanus' position. When Sejanus saves the Emperor and gains renewed favor, Macro sees that he must act quickly to undermine his rival. He conspires with Laco and Regulus to have the Senate meet at night and lulls Sejanus into believing the Tiberius is going to give him high office. Instead, Tiberius accuses Sejanus of treason and has him executed. Arruntius fears at play's end that Macro will prove a greater monster than Sejanus.

Minutius, follower of Sejanus.

Natta (Pinnarius), follower of Sejanus. He and Latiaris are arrested along with Sejanus at the end of the play and led off to execution.

Nero, son of Agrippina. He is arrested on orders of Sejanus for treason.

Nuntius, a messenger.

Opsius, a spy, a friend of Sejanus. He assists in tricking Sabinus into treason.

Pomponius, a senator of Sejanus' faction.

Posthumus (Julius), a senator of Sejanus' faction.

Regulus (Memmius), a consul opposed to Sejanus. He conspires with Macro and Laco to have the Senate meet at night behind Sejanus' back.

Rufus, a spy, a friend of Sejanus. He assists in tricking Sabinus into supposed treason.

Sabinus (Titius), a gentleman and friend to Agrippina. He is the second victim of Sejanus and Tiberius after Silius.

Sanquinius, a senator of Sejanus' faction.

Satrius Secundus, follower of Sejanus.

Sejanus (Lucius Aelius), favorite to the Emperor Tiberius. At first Sejanus pretends friendship and loyalty to the Emperor. In fact he is attempting to take the throne for himself. He plots with Livia, the Emperor's daughter-in-law, to murder her husband, Drusus Senior. He proceeds to seduce Livia and request her hand in marriage from Tiberius. The request reveals to the Emperor that Sejanus is ambitious for the throne. Tiberius in concert with Macro makes Sejanus believe he is to be given great powers. Instead, he is accused of treason and beheaded. His followers are also arrested and killed. His children are executed, his young daughter first having to be raped to avoid the Roman prohibition against executing virgins.

Servus, a slave.

Silius (Ciaus), a general and friend to Agrippina. He rails against the rule of Emperor Tiberius and warns Agrippina of Sejanus' spies. Sejanus plans to have him executed as a warning to the others in Agrippina's group. When Silius realizes he will be convicted on trumped up charges, he stabs himself to death on the Senate floor rather than yield to Tiberius' tyranny.

Sosia, wife to Caius Silius. She is arrested and her lands confiscated after her husband gallantly slays himself in the Senate rather than yield to the will of Caesar.

Terentius, follower of Sejanus. He has the final line of the play and exhorts Arruntius and Lepidus to learn by the wrong example of Sejanus not to be insolent and grow proud and careless of the gods.

Tiberius, Emperor of Rome. He is at first confident in Sejanus, but when Sejanus asks to marry Tiberius' recently-widowed daughter-in-law, the Emperor realizes Sejanus' ambition. He plots with Macro to have Sejanus tricked into presenting himself at the Senate house. Once there, the Emperor orders Sejanus' arrest and execution for treason. Tiberius is a corrupt man and a corrupt leader. He is susceptible to flattery, self-indulgent to the point of hedonism, and lascivious. According to legend, the part of Tiberius was originally played by William Shakespeare.

Trio (Fulcinius), consul, cohort of Sejanus.

Varro, consul, cohort of Sejanus. He conspires with Sejanus and Afer to trump up charges against the general, Silius, who is a friend of Agrippina.

Livia was historically Germanicus' sister and sister-in-law to Agrippina. Jonson chose not to mention that fact, perhaps for fear of further complicating an already complex set of relationships.

Sejanus His Fall suffered much because of its initial reception in 1603. The Globe audience hated it and it was withdrawn from the repertoire. Its production history was confined to that until the modern age.

The play is considered by many to be a neglected masterpiece of the English stage,

The play is a mix of Senecan "closet drama" and popular "chronicle history." It is a pedantic meditation on the questions of statecraft, but it is also a spectacle for the public theatre. As closet drama, Sejanus has the following elements:

• offstage action described by nuntia
• colloquies and sententiousness
• epigrammatic density of lines
• a chorus (albeit an informal chorus in the guise of bystanders)

• narrative tension
• stage movement
• physical confrontations
• spectacle
• some stage violence

The play demonstrates strong fidelity to its sources, particularly to Tacitus.

Jonson appended many notes to the original Quarto publication of this play. He says it is the first "work of imaginative literature . . . buttressed with all the apparatus of critical scholarship."

Jonson believed that there were four requirements for tragedy:

• Truth of the argument (historical accuracy)
• Dignity of persons (grandeur of character)
• Gravity and height of elocution (rhetorical elevation)
• Fullness and frequency of sentence (weight and abundance of moral reflection)

This play has been labeled a "Renaissance tragedy" as opposed to classic or Elizabethan tragedy. In so labeling this play, Ralph Nash and Jonas A. Barish suggest that this type of tragedy "avoids the effects of pathos and 'private' feeling that often add resonance to the harshness of tragic disasters." It is, therefore, a historical treatise aimed at the intellect rather than a blood bath aimed at the emotions.

The play is believed to be a criticism of James' rule. It may be in part responsible for Jonson having been called up on charges of treason. Certainly James' selling of knighthoods would appear to be criticized at I. 180-9.