The Literature Network - Wilde's 'Salome.'.(Oscar Wilde's play)

Wilde's 'Salome.'.(Oscar Wilde's play)

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From: The Explicator
Date: 19990101
Author:Nassaar, Christopher S.

Oscar Wilde's use of the fan in his play 'Salome' symbolizes women's attempts to hide their dark nature as observed in the scene between Salome and the Syrian youth. It is also a token of the prophet Jokaanan's unconscious desire for Herodias, the sister-in-law and illicit partner of King Herod, as well as the mother of Salome. The fan becomes a symbol of Herodias' power over the prophet when she gets the fan from her daughter after the latter presented her with Jokanaan's head. Her taking of the fan signifies her role as the true originator of the request for the beheading.

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