courtly intrigues theme

Persons with political power in a royal court or suchlike setting, maneuver and scheme with various motives, usually to get more power, wealth, and influence.

Examples

In the play "Hamlet" (1602), the drama takes place in the royal court of Denmark where people were jostling for power, marriage, and prestige. Prince Hamlet's uncle had usurped the throne by murdering Hamlet's father, and was further maneuvering to rid himself of the troublesome, bereaved, and eponymous prince.

48 total · 30 choice · 15 major · 3 minor

StoryLevelMotivation
bbf2x09 choice The Centauri were like the Roman aristocrats of old.
bbf4x05 choice Londo plotted to kill the emperor etc.
bbf4x06 choice Londo and Vir assassinated the emperor etc.
bbf5x09 choice Londo was playing cloaks and daggers in the Centauri imperial court.
ic1976e01a choice The plot turns on people of influence jockeying for power in the imperial court of Caesar Augustus. Notably, Livia poisoned Augustus' chosen successor, Marcellus, in cold blood to eliminate him and pave the way for her son, Tiberius, to become heir to the imperial throne. Also, Augustus maneuvered against Agrippa whom he suspected of plotting a coup d'etat.
ic1976e01b choice The plot turns on people of influence jockeying for power in the imperial court of Caesar Augustus. Livia plotted to have her son, Tiberius, named heir to Augustus. Livia relished exercising supreme power through Augustus.
ic1976e02 choice The plot turns on people of influence jockeying for power in the imperial court of Caesar Augustus. Notably, Livia plotted behind the scenes to clear a path for her son, Tiberius, to become heir to the imperial throne. In another thread, Livia compelled Plautius to betray his best friend to expose Julia's promiscuity.
ic1976e03 choice The plot turns on people of influence jockeying for power in the imperial court of Caesar Augustus. Notably, Livia plotted behind the scenes to clear a path for her son, Tiberius, to become heir to the imperial throne.
ic1976e04 choice The plot turns on people of influence jockeying for power in the imperial court of Caesar Augustus. Notably, Livia plotted behind the scenes to clear a path for her son, Tiberius, to become heir to the imperial throne. Livia forged a new will for Augustus and poisoned him, and Tiberius ascended as emperor.
ic1976e05 choice The plot turns on people of influence jockeying for power in the imperial court of Tiberius. Notably, Livia's plan for Tiberius to ascend to the imperial throne had come to fruition, but the power corrupted him according to Claudius.