Quo Vadis? (1895 Sienkiewicz), novel

Quo Vadis? (1895) is a novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz.

Abstract

“A Narrative of the Time of Nero.” Mature product of eastern-European neo-Christianism offers a broad picture of Roman life, bringing into salient contrast the licentiousness of Paganism and the spiritual beauty of Christianity. Especially remarkable are the chapters describing the great fire and the scenes in the amphitheatre. Its success contributed significantly to Sienkiewicz’s Nobel Prize for Literature in 1905.

Main characters

The novel combines historical and fictitious characters.

• Vinicius (fictitious son of the historical Marcus Vinicius) is a young military tribune and Roman patrician who falls in love with Lygia.

• Lygia [Lycia, Licia] (fictitious) is the beautiful daughter of a deceased king of the Lycians. Now a hostage in Rome, she converted to Christianity.

• Nero (historical) is the Roman Emperor. He is portrayed as incompetent, petty, cruel, and subject to manipulation by his courtiers.

• Poppea (historical), Nero's wife, is said to be envious of Lygia.

• Ursus (fictitious) is the bodyguard of Lygia. He also converted to Christianity.

• Peter (historical) is the leader of the church of Rome.

• Paul of Tarsus (historical) takes a personal interest in converting Vinicius.

Editions, translations, adaptations

First published in Polish (1895).

Translations

Sienkiewicz' novel was translated in more than 40 languages.

Adaptations

The novel inspired, directly or indirectly, an astounding amount of stage productions, films, operas, and works of art.

• Quo Vadis? (1899 Styka), art

• Quo Vadis? (1901 Zecca, Nonguet), short film

• Quo Vadis? (1908 Nouguès), opera

• Au temps des premiers chrétiens (In the Time of the First Christians / 1910 Calmettes), short film

• Quo Vadis? (1913 Guazzoni), feature film

• Quo Vadis? (1924 D'Annunzio/Jacoby), film

• Quo Vadis (1951 LeRoy), film

• Quo Vadis? (1985 Rossi), TV mini-series

• Quo Vadis? (2001 Kawalerowicz), feature film

See also:

• The Sign of the Cross (1895 Barrett), play

External links

• Google Books (English tr.)
• Wikipedia