Salomé: A Tragic Tale of Obsession and Desire

Salomé is a one-act play by Oscar Wilde, first published in 1891. The play is based on the biblical story of Salome, the stepdaughter of Herod Antipas, who dances for her stepfather and demands the head of John the Baptist as her reward. Wilde's play is a dark and sensual exploration of obsession, desire, and the destructive power of beauty.

Salome (Illustrated)

by Oscar Wilde

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2113 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	82 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	77 pages
Item Weight	:	7.5 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.19 x 8.5 inches

FREE

The play is set in the court of Herod Antipas, the Tetrarch of Galilee. Herod is a weak and indecisive ruler, who is dominated by his wife, Herodias. Salome is Herodias' daughter, a beautiful and enigmatic young woman. She is obsessed with John the Baptist, a prophet who has been imprisoned by Herod. John preaches against Herod's marriage to Herodias, and Salome is drawn to his message of righteousness.

One day, Salome dances for Herod and his guests. Her dance is so beautiful that Herod is enraptured. He offers her anything she desires, and Salome demands the head of John the Baptist. Herod is horrified, but he is too weak to resist Salome's demands. He sends a soldier to behead John, and Salome receives his head on a silver platter.

Salome's obsession with John the Baptist is ultimately self-destructive. She is unable to resist his allure, even though she knows that it will lead to her own destruction. The play ends with Salome kissing John's head, a gesture that symbolizes both her love for him and her own doom.

The Illustrations of Aubrey Beardsley

The first edition of Salomé was illustrated by Aubrey Beardsley, one of the most famous and controversial artists of the Aesthetic Movement. Beardsley's illustrations are dark and sensual, and they perfectly capture the decadent atmosphere of Wilde's play.

Beardsley's illustrations were so controversial that they were initially banned from publication in England. However, they have since become some of the most iconic images of the Aesthetic Movement. The illustrations add a new layer of meaning to Wilde's play, and they help to create a truly immersive and unforgettable experience for the reader.

Free Download Your Copy Today

Salomé is a powerful and evocative masterpiece of literature. It is a story of obsession, desire, and the destructive power of beauty. The illustrations of Aubrey Beardsley add a new layer of meaning to the play, and they help to create a truly immersive and unforgettable experience for the reader.

Free Download your copy of Salomé today and experience the dark and sensual world of Oscar Wilde's masterpiece.

Salome (Illustrated)

by Oscar Wilde

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2113 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	82 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	77 pages
Item Weight	:	7.5 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.19 x 8.5 inches

FREE