The Scapegoat = Lucan ... He was executed for being the head of a conspiracy against Nero. Some ring leader had to die and he was the last. He was one of the leading men in Rome as a poet. When he was about to die he mocked the Praetorian Guard saying "... there was never a conspiracy. You made this all up, and set up so many traps that we could not help but be seen as having this plan."
The Hero and Task = Tigellinus ... He is the hero because he saves Rome. He does this with intense superhuman skill of deduction and trickery. Although he ends up being wrong according to Lucan he gets praised by Nero for Saving his life. " Himself demands you carve a full-length statue of me and place it in the Forum, subsequently to Military Triumphal Honors to be awarded to me in a few days" by Tigellinus after being told of his honors from Himself.
Connotations:
Himself = It is not when a person is talking about themselves or others personality. It is what Nero, the Emperor is called.
Nose = When Tigellius and Paenus discuss the size and shape of peoples noses, as they do rather often they are not literally discussing nose size but the greed of that person. It also goes out to there attitudes and sneakiness men with large noses are untrustworthy and must be watched.
Mood:
The mood is always suspicious right up to the end. The letters are always asking about plots and setting up ways to catch wrongdoers. They also discuss arrangements that Nero wants but mainly between Paenus and Tigellinus are all about plots. "I fear I must confess that I have previously heard whispered in various places most of the slander and filth that came out here." This is from Paenus discussing the gossip going around.
