How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
THE YOUNG SYRIAN How beautiful is the Princess Salomé to-night!
THE PAGE OF HERODIAS Look at the moon. How strange the moon seems! She is like a woman rising from a tomb. She is like a dead woman. One might fancy she was looking for dead things.
THE YOUNG SYRIAN She has a strange look. She is like a little princess who wears a yellow veil, and whose feet are of silver. She is like a princess who has little white doves for feet. One might fancy she was dancing.
THE PAGE OF HERODIAS She is like a woman who is dead. She moves very slowly. (2-5)
From the very beginning, death and desire are brought together—here, via the moon.
Quote #2
THE NUBIAN The gods of my country are very fond of blood. Twice in the year we sacrifice to them young men and maidens: fifty young men and a hundred maidens. But I am afraid that we never give them quite enough, for they are very harsh to us.
THE CAPPADOCIAN In my country there are no gods left. The Romans have driven them out. There are some who say that they have hidden themselves in the mountains, but I do not believe it. Three nights I have been on the mountains seeking them everywhere. I did not find them, and at last I called them by their names, and they did not come. I think they are dead. (30-35)
The Nubian's religion, which calls for its followers to sacrifice themselves to the gods, operates in stark contrast to Christianity, in which the Messiah sacrifices himself for the sake of his followers. The Cappadocian's gods are dead—a great upheaval seems to be coming.
Quote #3
THE CAPPADOCIAN He was not afraid?
SECOND SOLDIER Oh no! The Tetrarch sent him the ring.
THE CAPPADOCIAN What ring?
SECOND SOLDIER The death-ring. So he was not afraid.
THE CAPPADOCIAN Yet it is a terrible thing to strangle a king.
FIRST SOLDIER Why? Kings have but one neck, like other folk. (57-62)
The soldier's glib observation is actually echoed in Jokanaan's prophecies about the "man on the throne" being struck down.