Ready Reference Treatise: Salome

By Raja Sharma

“Salome” by Oscar Wilde was first published in 1891. It was originally published in French language. Three years later, the English translation of this tragedy was published.

It is a one act play that tells the Biblical story of Salome, who was the stepdaughter of the tetrarch Herod Antipas.

While writing the present play, Oscar Wilde was living in Paris during the fall of 1891.

There are different accounts which tell about the writing process of this play. However, it is quite probable that the writer was responding to at least some of the several visual and literary interpretations of the biblical story that abounded in the late 19th century.

Ready Reference Treatise: Salome
Copyright
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Plot Overview
Chapter Three: Characters
Chapter Four: Complete Summary
Chapter Five: Critical Analysis

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raja Sharma
• Release date: Jun 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310379185

Raja Sharma

Raja Sharma is a retired college lecturer.He has taught English Literature to University students for more than two decades.His students are scattered all over the world, and it is noticeable that he is in contact with more than ninety thousand of his students.

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Ready Reference Treatise: Salome

Copyright

Ready Reference Treatise: Salome

Raja Sharma

Copyright@2015 Raja Sharma

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Chapter One: Introduction

Salome by Oscar Wilde was first published in 1891. It was originally published in French language. Three years later, the English translation of this tragedy was published.

It is a one act play that tells the Biblical story of Salome, who was the stepdaughter of the tetrarch Herod Antipas.

While writing the present play, Oscar Wilde was living in Paris during the fall of 1891.

There are different accounts which tell about the writing process of this play. However, it is quite probable that the writer was responding to at least some of the several visual and literary interpretations of the biblical story that abounded in the late 19th century.

While researching for the play and composing his script, Oscar Wilde was influenced by the works of Gustave Flaubert, J. K Husmans, Stephane Mallarme, and the paintings by Gustave Moreau.

Oscar Wilde had a few influential friends in the Parisian literary scene. They included Pierre Louys. Wilde dedicated the first edition to Pierre Louys.

The French manuscript of the play was published in 1893. Wilde found it quite frustrating to have the English language manuscript completed.

The play has retained its attraction and literary value even in the modern literary world. Several adaptations of the play have been done and it has also been translated into several other languages.

Chapter Two: Plot Overview

As the play begins, we see the Young Syrian, the Page of Heroidias, with some soldiers. They are gathered on a balcony at the palace of King Herod’s. They can see a walled cistern, a well, from their vantage point.

On the