Salomé: A Tragedy in One Act by Oscar Wilde. Summary of the book.

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Salomé: A Tragedy in One Act by Oscar Wilde

Introduction

Salomé is a tragedy in one act written by Oscar Wilde, first published in French in the year 1893. The play is based on the Biblical tale of Salomé, stepdaughter of the tetrarch Herod Antipas, who, according to the New Testament, demanded and received the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter as a reward for dancing the Dance of the Seven Veils. Wilde’s play adds a new interpretation to the story, by making Salomé a tragic heroine who is driven by her unrequited love for the prophet Jokanaan (John the Baptist).

Plot Summary

The play takes place in Herod’s palace, in the Kingdom of Judea, during the first century AD. The story begins with the appearance of Jokanaan (John the Baptist), who is brought to the palace by a captain of the guard. Salomé, the stepdaughter of Herod Antipas, is immediately infatuated with the prophet and begs her stepfather to let her speak with him. Herod agrees, but Jokanaan refuses to speak with her. Salomé then begs Herod to give her whatever she desires, and he agrees. In a fit of passion, Salomé demands the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter.

Herod is horrified, but cannot go back on his word. He orders Jokanaan to be beheaded and his head presented to Salomé on a silver platter. Salomé is ecstatic and dances the Dance of the Seven Veils, but is quickly overcome with grief and horror when she sees the head of the prophet. Herod orders that Salomé be executed, but she is saved when a messenger arrives with news that Herod’s wife, Herodias, has died. Salomé then disappears from the palace, never to be seen again.

Teachings

The play is a stark warning about the power of passion and the consequences of foolish decisions. Wilde makes it clear that Salomé’s passion for Jokanaan is doomed to end in tragedy and that her decision to ask for his head will have dire consequences for both her and Herod. In addition, the play serves as a warning against the dangers of pride and ambition, as Herod’s pride leads him to make a foolish promise that he is unable to keep and leads to his downfall.

Interesting Facts

  • The play was originally written in French, not English. Wilde wrote the play in French in order to avoid censorship, as it was considered too controversial for an English audience at the time.
  • The play is based on an ancient Greek tragedy. Wilde was inspired by the ancient Greek tragedy Salomé by the Greek playwright Apollodorus, which was written in the 3rd century BC.
  • The play was banned in England for many years. The play was considered too controversial for an English audience due to its religious themes and was banned from being performed in England until 1931.

FAQs

  • What is the play Salomé about? Salomé is a tragedy in one act written by Oscar Wilde, first published in French in the year 1893. The play is based on the Biblical tale of Salomé, stepdaughter of the tetrarch Herod Antipas, who, according to the New Testament, demanded and received the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter as a reward for dancing the Dance of the Seven Veils.
  • What is the moral of the play? The play serves as a warning against the dangers of passion, pride and ambition, and the consequences of foolish decisions.
  • Was the play ever banned? The play was considered too controversial for an English audience due to its religious themes and was banned from being performed in England until 1931.

Salomé is a tragedy in one act written by Oscar Wilde that has stood the test of time. It is a stark warning about the power of passion and the consequences of foolish decisions. The play was originally written in French to avoid censorship, and is based on an ancient Greek tragedy. The play was considered too controversial for an English audience and was banned from being performed in England until 1931. Salomé is an important literary work that has captivated audiences for centuries and will continue to do so for many years to come.

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