Salomé expresses an obsessive and poetic infatuation with the imprisoned prophet Jokanaan, praising his physical beauty in vivid, sensory detail. Jokanaan fiercely rejects her advances, condemning her as a symbol of corruption and evil. The scene escalates as Salomé's praise turns to insults before she fixates on her ultimate desire to kiss his mouth.
SALOMÉ: Jokanaan, I am amorous of thy body! Thy body is white like the lilies of a field that the mower hath never mowed. Thy body is white like the snows that lie on the mountains, like the snows that lie on the mountains of Judaea, and come down into the valleys.
JOKANAAN: Back! daughter of Babylon! By woman came evil into the world. Speak not to me. I…
SAL…
Format: Duologue · Genre: Tragedy · Source: Salomé · Author: Oscar Wilde · Characters: Salomé, Jokanaan
This duologue from Oscar Wilde's "Salomé" explores intense, unrequited desire and fierce moral condemnation. The scene centers on Salomé's profound obsession with the imprisoned prophet Jokanaan, whose striking physical form she praises with vivid, sensual descriptions. As Salomé's infatuation grows, Jokanaan unequivocally rejects her advances, denouncing her as corrupt and wicked. The emotional tension spirals as Salomé's adoration morphs into scathing insults, before she ultimately fixes her gaze on a singular desire to kiss his mouth, highlighting the tragic trajectory of her passion.
Salomé is driven by raw, unbridled desire, displaying a complex mix of vulnerability and audacious persistence. Her descriptive language reveals a deeply sensual and imaginative mind, yet her quick pivot from praise to insult shows a volatile temperament born from rejection. Jokanaan, conversely, embodies unwavering moral conviction and steadfast resolve. His pronouncements are uncompromising and laden with biblical authority, portraying him as disconnected from earthly allure and singularly focused on his spiritual mission. Both characters are intense and uncompromising, creating a powerful clash of wills and ideologies.
This scene is an excellent choice for auditions due to its rich, poetic language and the extreme emotional states it demands from both performers. The duologue format allows for dynamic interaction and provides a clear arc of escalating conflict and desperation for Salomé, while showcasing Jokanaan's unwavering conviction. Its classical, heightened style offers a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate vocal control, command of language, and the ability to convey profound emotion with nuance. The distinct character types also make it versatile for actors aiming to highlight their range in portraying either intense, obsessive desire or resolute, moral authority.
This scene is ideally suited for actors in the Young Adult and Adult age ranges who can confidently navigate heightened, poetic language and portray intense, passionate emotions. It offers fantastic material for those aiming for roles requiring a strong sense of internal conflict, obsessive desire, or a rigid moral stance. Actors who excel at creating a sense of urgency and desperation, or those who can embody an unwavering, authoritative presence, will find this scene particularly rewarding. It provides an excellent platform for individuals looking to showcase their ability to make strong, character-driven choices within a classical framework.
When approaching this scene, actors should fully embrace the poeticism of the language, allowing it to inform their rhythm and emotional delivery without sacrificing authenticity. For Salomé, focus on the sensory details of her descriptions, letting each image build her growing obsession and frustration, and explore the transition from adoration to insult as a desperate attempt to gain control. For Jokanaan, maintaining a sense of unwavering conviction and moral superiority is key; his rejection should be authoritative and absolute. Both actors should commit to the extreme emotional stakes, ensuring that their reactions to one another are visceral and clearly motivated, driving the scene's tragic intensity towards its inevitable conclusion.