How does Stello portray the relationship between poets and political power?

In Stello (1832), Alfred-Victor de Vigny portrays the relationship between poets and political power as inherently destructive and hostile toward the artist. Through a series of dialogues between the symbolic figures of Doctor Noir (representing intellect) and Stello (representing the poet’s desire for public engagement), Vigny illustrates that all political regimes—regardless of their ideology—inflict a state of "perpetual ostracism" upon poets.1

Vigny uses three anecdotes to demonstrate this conflict:
* The indifference of Louis XV leads to the death of Nicolas Gilbert in poverty.1
* The fanaticism of the republican Robespierre sends André Chénier to the scaffold.1
* The egoism of William Beckford contributes to the suicide of Thomas Chatterton.1

Ultimately, Vigny concludes that political involvement is perilous for the artist. To preserve the dignity of art and escape the cruelties of political fanaticism, he advocates for "separating poetic life from political life," advising poets to avoid direct participation in the public arena.1