Oh, it definitely doesn't work as as a parallel - which is why I said "an element of", but I couldn't think of a mythological, historical or religious image that fits closer.

Yes, I understand that - and in its inverted way it actually seems to fit quite well. It was certainly an interesting point to consider.

The really tragic thing (and the whole Londo story is good old-fashioned Aristotelian tragedy) is that Londo will not as a person stop being Delenn's friend, but only as a representative (or by now rather, a part) of his government confronting an alliance politician. It is the incompatibility between these that somehow makes the situation so hard to bear.

(Agreed about Lise)