 In the course of the 1570s Tasso developed a persecution mania which led to legends about the restless, half-mad, and misunderstood author.He became consumed by thoughts that his servants betrayed his confidence, fancied he had been denounced to the Inquisition, and expected daily to be poisoned.Literary and political events surrounding him contributed to upsets and the mental state, with troubles, stress and social troubles escalating.