Salome

Salome (Salomé)

    Author: Oscar Wilde

    First Performance: 1896, Paris

    Published: 1893

    First English Translation: 1894

    Genre: Trag. in 1 act; French prose

    Setting: The Palace of Herod Antipas, Judea, early 1st c. ad

    Cast: 11m, 2f, extras

Jokanaan (John the Baptist) has been incarcerated by Herod Antipas, because the prophet denounces the King's unlawful marriage to Herodias, widow of his brother. While a feast is being given in the palace, Herodias's daughter, Salome, approaches Jokanaan and expresses her yearning for him. Delighting in his repulsiveness, she demands to kiss his mouth. Cursing her, Jokanaan returns to his prison. Herod, Herodias, and the guests come from the banquet, and, to his wife's annoyance, Herod pays special attention to Salome. He then asks her to dance for him,...

[The entire page is 340 words long]

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