Who is Salome?
Salome was a Jewish princess around the turn of the first century CE. She appears in the New Testament in Matthew 14:6-8 and Mark 6:22, although she is not named. In the Bible, as in most scholarly literature of the time, she is referred to as the Daughter of Herodias. Salome’s mother Herodias outraged and alienated many of her subjects by divorcing Salome’s father, Herod II, and marrying his brother Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee. Such an action was forbidden according to Jewish marriage law of the time and considered by some to amount to incest. According to the Gospels, John the Baptist was one of Herodias’ most vocal critics. Herodias therefore persuaded Salome to dance seductively for Antipas and ask for the head of John the Baptist as a reward. The story of the girl who could dance compellingly enough to effect an execution as her reward has struck the imagination of many artists and writers throughout the years. Many have also used fiction to speculate about Salome’s tru
Oscar Wildes gruesome and controversial play begs and important question.Who is Salome?In the bible this woman is not even given a name.She is the daughter of Herodias who dances for the pleasure of her stepfather, Herod.Perhaps the very fact that she remains unnamed is part of the mystery and problem that is Salome.There was no need to name this type of woman in patriarchal Christian religion.Yet, Salomes story continues to inspire and terrify both her champions and her harshest critics. In writing Salome Wilde gives this figure both an identity and a desire.But just what does this identity and subsequent desire represent?Throughout the play Salome is subjected to the male gaze.Both the Young Syrian and Herod continually look at her.They are both warned not to do so.The Page of Herodias tells the Young Syrian, Why do you look at her?You must not look at herSomething terrible may happen.Herod is similarly warned by his wife, You must not look at her!You are always looking at her!Aside
