How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
FIRST SOLDIER The Jews worship a God that one cannot see.
THE CAPPADOCIAN I cannot understand that.
FIRST SOLDIER In fact, they only believe in things that one cannot see.
THE CAPPADOCIAN That seems to me altogether ridiculous. (32-35)
Both the Soldier and the Cappadocian seem baffled by Jewish beliefs and the idea of believing without seeing.
Quote #2
SALOMÉ How good to see the moon! She is like a little piece of money, a little silver flower. She is cold and chaste. I am sure she is a virgin. She has the beauty of a virgin. Yes, she is a virgin. She has never defiled herself. She has never abandoned herself to men, like the other goddesses. (73)
Just as the young Syrian sees a princess in the moon, Salomé sees a virgin. Based on later comments about her own chastity, it seems that Salomé is doing a bit of projecting—it functions as a sort of mirror.
Quote #3
SALOMÉ This prophet… is he an old man?
FIRST SOLDIER No, Princess, he is quite young.
SECOND SOLDIER One cannot be sure. There are those who say that he is Elias.
SALOMÉ Who is Elias?
SECOND SOLDIER A prophet of this country in bygone days, Princess. (88-92)
Though Jokanaan has the body of a young man, there are those, like the Nazarenes, who believe he is actually much older.