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Salome Study Guide

by Oscar Wilde

Salome study guide contains a biography of Oscar Wilde, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

The Young Syrian, the Page of Heroidias, and some soldiers are gathered on a balcony at King Herod's palace, overlooking a walled cistern (a well). Offstage, Herod is conducting a banquet with many international guests. While the Syrian and the Page discuss the moon, a figure for the princess Salome with whom the Syrian is infatuated, four soldiers discuss a group of Jews in Herod's court, who are loudly "disputing their religion." They become anxious that the Tetrarch is "sombre" because he is looking at someone, and they try to determine who it is. They begin a conversation about religion, which is interrupted by an offstage voice shouting prophesies about the coming of the Messiah. One of the soldiers reveals that it is the voice of…

Read the full Salome Summary

• Salome Summary
• About Salome
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Summary and Analysis of Section I (to the entrance of Salome)
• Summary and Analysis of Section II (to the entrance of Herod and Herodias)
• Summary and Analysis of Section III (to the Dance of the Seven Veils)
• Summary and Analysis of Section IV (to the end)
• The Fin-de-Siècle Femme Fatale
• Related Links on Salome
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• Salome: Major Themes
• Salome: Essays
• Salome: Questions
• Salome: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Oscar Wilde: Biography