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bleusargents's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
novel_ideas's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Oscar Wilde’s take on the attempted seduction of John the Baptist by the titular Salome provides a lush exploration of desire and obsession. The language of the play is highly visual (and one of the motifs throughout is the concept of “looking” and characters looking at other characters ) and beautifully descriptive— especially descriptions of the moon (a metaphor used both for Salome and Jokanaan). But as much as there is to impact thematically, I could have used more time with and more reflection on the characters.
bikes_books_yarn's review against another edition
5.0
This is such an awesome copy - with the Beardsley illustrations. It's one of the books I got rid of that I really wish I had kept.
mxmlln's review against another edition
5.0
Story: 7 / 10
Characters: 7
Setting: 9
Prose: 8
Themes: Desire, Religion, Power
Characters: 7
Setting: 9
Prose: 8
Themes: Desire, Religion, Power
carlosmover's review against another edition
4.0
"Salomé", otra joya inigualable de la pluma de Oscar Wilde, se presenta como un banquete literario lleno de exuberancia y provocación. En esta obra, Wilde nos transporta a un mundo de decadencia, lujuria y tragedia, todo ello envuelto en su característico ingenio y estilo decadente.
La obra es un festín para los sentidos, donde la belleza y la perversión danzan en una coreografía única. La figura de Salomé, con su magnetismo y deseo insaciable, se erige como un personaje fascinante que encarna la peligrosa mezcla de poder y sensualidad.
La prosa de Wilde, rica en simbolismo y poesía, añade capas de significado a cada línea. La exploración de temas tabúes, la crítica velada a la moralidad de la época y la intrincada trama contribuyen a la creación de una obra maestra que desafía las convenciones.
Es cierto que la traducción puede perder ciertos matices, pero la esencia de la obra sigue resonando con fuerza. La capacidad de Wilde para mezclar lo grotesco con lo hermoso, lo trágico con lo cómico, crea una experiencia teatral única que sigue siendo relevante en la exploración de los límites de la sociedad y el individuo.
"Salomé" no es solo una obra de teatro; es una inmersión en la mente brillante y audaz de Oscar Wilde. Cautiva, desafía y, al final, deja una marca indeleble en el espectador o lector, recordándonos que la genialidad literaria puede trascender el tiempo y las barreras lingüísticas. Un tributo a la capacidad de Wilde para teñir de belleza incluso las sombras más oscuras de la naturaleza humana.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
3.0
Don't think I've read any biblically inspired play before so this was a very interesting read, and because it's written by Oscar Wilde it was very well done and compelling. However it's not one of my favorites of his plays.
alishajuma's review against another edition
3.0
Salomé retelling of the biblical story of the decapitation of John the Baptiste. However, John the Baptiste (Iokanaan) is not the focus of the play but rather is focuses on Salomé (the daughter of Herod Antipas in the Bible) and the relationships between the other characters, and their forbidden and/or incestuous desires.
The play focuses on the dynamic of the male gaze within a patriarchal society. Manipulating this patriarchal concept of gaze, Salomé shifts between portraying herself as a femme fatale and femme fragile throughout the play embracing both the demonisation and idealisation of female power. She exercises her agency by controlling and moulding the male gaze to suit her desires and objectives, exploiting the patriarchal power structure that seeks to define and confine her. Salome subverts the traditional roles imposed on women, turning the male gaze into a tool for her empowerment and liberation.
This narrative that focuses on Salomé’s agency seems to be undermined by the ending of the play unless you view it as a moral message. Wilde may be highlighting the consequences of using one's beauty and power to manipulate and harm others. It may suggest that even those who seem to hold power in a patriarchal society are not immune to its destructive forces.
Overall, this was very different from Wilde’s usual style, and I think I enjoyed the message of the play much more than the actual reading experience. I think Wilde relied a lot more on a campy stage set-up rather than his dialogue in this play for the comedic value, but it was an interesting read nonetheless.
The play focuses on the dynamic of the male gaze within a patriarchal society. Manipulating this patriarchal concept of gaze, Salomé shifts between portraying herself as a femme fatale and femme fragile throughout the play embracing both the demonisation and idealisation of female power. She exercises her agency by controlling and moulding the male gaze to suit her desires and objectives, exploiting the patriarchal power structure that seeks to define and confine her. Salome subverts the traditional roles imposed on women, turning the male gaze into a tool for her empowerment and liberation.
This narrative that focuses on Salomé’s agency seems to be undermined by the ending of the play unless you view it as a moral message. Wilde may be highlighting the consequences of using one's beauty and power to manipulate and harm others. It may suggest that even those who seem to hold power in a patriarchal society are not immune to its destructive forces.
Overall, this was very different from Wilde’s usual style, and I think I enjoyed the message of the play much more than the actual reading experience. I think Wilde relied a lot more on a campy stage set-up rather than his dialogue in this play for the comedic value, but it was an interesting read nonetheless.