From their knowledge of Roman history, audiences in Venice would have recognised that the apparent triumph of love over virtue, celebrated by Nerone and Poppea in the closing duet, was in reality hollow, and that not long after this event Nerone kicked the pregnant Poppea to death.
Fra deres kendskab til romersk historie ville publikum i Venedig have erkendt, at den tilsyneladende sejr over dyden, som den fejres af af Nero og Poppea i den afsluttende duet, i realiteten er falsk, og vidst, at Nero ikke længe herefter sparkede den gravide Poppea til døde.