How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #7
SECOND SOLDIER He slew himself, sire.
HEROD For what reason? I had made him captain of my guard!
SECOND SOLDIER We do not know, sire. But with his own hand he slew himself.
[…]HEROD […] It is ridiculous to kill one's-self. (180-182, 185)
Here, again, Herod—the dude with the power over life and death—doesn't understand why anyone would want to end their own; he's used to treating death as a penalty, as a punishment.
Quote #8
HEROD What is this miracle of the daughter of Jairus?
FIRST NAZARENE The daughter of Jairus was dead. This Man raised her from the dead.
HEROD How! He raises people from the dead?
FIRST NAZARENE Yea, sire; He raiseth the dead.
HEROD I do not wish Him to do that. I forbid Him to do that. I suffer no man to raise the dead. This Man must be found and told that I forbid Him to raise the dead. Where is this Man at present? (255-259)
Herod, unable to see the wider ramifications of the Messiah's actions, simply sees it as a challenge to his own power.
Quote #9
SALOMÉ [Kneeling.] I would that they presently bring me in a silver charger…
HEROD [Laughing.] In a silver charger? Surely yes, in a silver charger. She is charming, is she not? What is it that thou wouldst have in a silver charger, O sweet and fair Salomé, thou that art fairer than all the daughters of Judæa? What wouldst thou have them bring thee in a silver charger? Tell me. Whatsoever it may be, thou shalt receive it. My treasures belong to thee. What is it that thou wouldst have, Salomé?
SALOMÉ [Rising.] The head of Jokanaan.
HERODIAS Ah! that is well said, my daughter. (345-350)
What initially seems like a childish request—for what could be brought in a silver charger but something small and cute, right?—quickly becomes super-gross. The juxtaposition between the simple, silver tray and the terrible thing it's meant to carry heightens the shock of it all.