Salome

Salomé is the protagonist of the play. She is the daughter of Herodias and the stepdaughter of Herod. She is a dynamic character, whose growing obsession causes the tragic ending of the play. She fits into the archetype of the femme fatale, as her attraction to Jokanaan leads to his death. Salomé is very beautiful and she is a graceful dancer. Many characters note that she has “golden eyes under her gilded eyelids” (19). This detail emphasizes her beauty, the opulence of Herod’s court, and the particular value she places on appearances. Her eyes are golden, denoting their value, and suggesting that she is particularly driven by her sight.

At the beginning of the play, the Young Syrian remarks upon her appearance, hinting that she seems nervous at the banquet. He notes that she is very pale and that she “has hidden her face behind her fan! Her little white hands are fluttering like doves that fly to their dove-cots” (7). Salomé’s pale skin and moving hands suggests that she is uncomfortable with being looked at during the party. She confirms this when she leaves the palace, complaining, “I will not stay. I cannot stay.