- King Herod is entranced by his wife's daughter, Salome, who is obsessed with the prophet Jokanaan. When he asks Salome to dance for him, she agrees, but at a steep price--the head of the prophet.
- King Herod is entranced by his wife's daughter, Salome, who is obsessed with the prophet Jokanaan. When he asks Salome to dance for him, she agrees, but at a steep price-the head of the prophet. The Queen Herodias sides with her daughter, and finally, Herod, gives in, because he has given his word to Salome. The prophet's head is presented to Salome on a silver platter; she kisses him. Herod is disgusted by her lust for the prophet.—Frederick Keeve
- The play unfolds on the terrace of Herod's palace above the banquet hall. The Young Syrian exclaims how Salomé is beautiful tonight. The voice of Jokanaan is heard from the cistern, proclaiming the coming of the Messiah: "The eyes of the blind shall see the day, and the ears of the deaf shall be opened." The First Soldier explains to the Cappadocian that Jokanaan is a prophet from the desert.
The Syrian exclaims that Salomé approaches. Salomé asks if he is the prophet Herod fears, the prophet who maligns her mother, Queen Herodias. As Jokanaan preaches on, Salomé insists that she speak to him. The prophet has brought before her, and Salomé desires him and is "amorous of his body." Jokanaan curses her. Begging Salomé to stop, the Syrian kills himself. Salomé continues to demand that Jokanaan kiss her. He orders her to seek the Lord, refuses to look upon her, and descends into the cistern.
Herod enters and slips on the blood of the Syrian and gasps at the ill omen. The Soldiers feign that they do not know why he killed himself. Herod replies that the prophet is a holy man who has seen God.
Increasingly distractedly by Salomé, Herod asks his daughter to dance for him. He swears to give her whatever she desires, even half his kingdom. Salomé dances. Herod invites Salomé to ask for her reward, and she asks for the head of Jokanaan in a silver charger. Aghast, Herod begs her to be reasonable. He offers all his hidden jewels; he will even give her the veil of the sanctuary to be released from his word. Salomé refuses.
Herod falls back and the Soldier bears his death ring to the frightened Executioner. Moments later, a huge black arm emerges from the cistern, bearing Jokanaan's head on a silver shield. Salomé seizes it and tells the head that she will kiss its mouth now. If he had looked at her, he would have loved her, and love's mystery is greater than death's.
Herod declares Salomé monstrous. The voice of Salomé announces that she has kissed the prophet's mouth. It tastes bitter, perhaps of blood or love.
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