The Tragedy of Mariam

Pheroras greets his brother royally, saying he deserves all the honors bestowed upon him by Caesar and the world. Herod immediately criticizes his brother, saying he cannot easily forget the decision Pheroras made in his absence. Though Salome has begged Herod to pardon him, Herod cannot help feeling that, in marrying a lower-class woman, Pheroras has besmirched their family honor. Herod calls Graphina a whore and points out that Pheroras married her the instant he heard the rumor of Herod’s death. Pheroras acknowledges that he has stained the family honor. Still, he professes love for his brother and asks that he forgive him for the sake of Mariam.

Herod asks where his wife is. Pheroras says he does not know and again requests that Herod forgive him, since Herod has clearly forgiven Constabarus for sparing the lives of Babus’s two sons. Hearing this, Herod instantly issues a death warrant for Constabarus and the sons of Babus, telling Pheroras to bring them before him so he can make them suffer before they die. He is convinced that Salome will plead for the life of her husband, but pledges that he will not be moved. Pheroras announces that Salome has divorced Constabarus, even though it broke her heart, because she knew he was Herod’s enemy.

Herod demands the condemned be executed immediately, saying he wants to repay Mariam, whom he momentarily confuses with Salome. He confesses that he cannot stop obsessing over his wife.

Mariam enters alone before Herod. He immediately notices her downcast demeanor and mourning clothes and asks what is wrong. She responds that her clothing matches her mood, since she can find nothing to be happy about. Herod cannot believe this is his wife’s greeting. He protests that he has longed to see her and will take action to correct whatever has caused her dour mood, saying that whatever troubles Mariam troubles Herod as well. If she thinks Judea is too small a place, he pledges to conquer Arabia and make her its queen. If she wants wealth, he says he will rob King David’s tomb. No request, he implies, is too great for him to fulfill for her.

Mariam replies that she wants nothing from him. Indeed, his grandiose offers do not ease her suffering. What she truly wants is her brother alive again. She says that if he truly wanted to make Mariam happy, he would never have killed her brother or grandfather.

Herod defends himself by repeating the official stories of the men’s deaths. Her grandfather Hircanus, Herod says, was plotting to kill him. Nevertheless, he claims to regret ordering his execution: “Yet I for Mariams sake doe so repent / The death of one” (4.3.39-40). He then describes the way he mourned the death of her brother Aristobolus, as well as the kindness and privilege he bestowed upon him while he lived. To this, Mariam replies that Herod’s actions on her brother’s behalf were really meant to solidify Herod’s hold on power.

Herod refuses to say any more if Mariam is not going to believe him. He points out that she is not doing herself any favors with her attitude. If she smiles at him, he promises, she will be forgiven. She refuses to feign happiness, saying her countenance reveals her troubled heart. Herod again points out that she is offending him and asks her not to take advantage of his affection for her. She says his love for her is unstable. He argues that her mood is what might cause his love to waver, to which she responds that at least he has found a reason to stop loving her.

Angered, Herod says he doesn’t need to justify himself. Even now, though, he offers to give her his heart if she will soften her attitude. He states that he has ignored criticism of her from his closest family members and railed against them for attacking her. He says he has never given her any cause to hate him.

A butler enters carrying something in his hands, interrupting the argument between Herod and Mariam. When Herod asks what he is holding, the butler describes it as a love potion Mariam ordered for Herod. Mariam immediately senses a trap, but trusts that whatever happens will be God’s will.

Not believing the butler, Herod confronts him and says he must tell the truth about the drink if he does not want to die. The butler responds that it must truly be a love potion, since Mariam has stopped hating Herod. Herod asks why Mariam hated him, and the butler says Sohemus told her that he was to kill her if Herod died in Rome.

Herod immediately condemns Sohemus to death, refusing to allow him to speak a word. The butler departs to fulfill the king’s command. Herod proclaims that Sohemus has betrayed him and entered into a plot with Mariam, whom he curses as “painted Divill […] white Inchantress” (4.4.19-20); he believes they want to kill Herod so they can be together, and that Mariam is seeking revenge.

Stunned, Mariam asks aloud if she is dreaming. Herod wishes that someone could prove to him that this is a dream. He cannot believe he fell for Mariam’s pretense of innocence; she looks beautiful, he says, but is venomous within. He asks her why she fell in love with Sohemus, but she protests that whatever others may say, she does not love him.

Herod enters a lengthy soliloquy bemoaning Mariam’s treachery. He proclaims that he hates her profoundly because “Hell it selfe lies hid / Beneath [her] heavenly show” (4.4.49-50). He decides she has plotted against him so her son could take over the throne of Judea. Her beauty, he says, compounds her sin; she has used something lovely for treacherous purposes. He promises to kill her so she cannot plot against anyone else. Herod knows he will continue to love her and yearn for her even after her death and muses again about her beauty, deciding she must have stolen her eyes from someone else to look so fair, yet be so evil. He portrays himself as a childlike victim who fell for Mariam’s wiles, but his heart now must die with her.

The butler returns and Herod asks if he has arranged for the execution of Sohemus. When he replies that he has, Herod tells him to summon the royal guard to prepare Mariam for execution. Soldiers enter and begin escorting her away, only to have Herod order them to stop. He demands to know what they are doing. When a guard explains, Herod denies ever ordering such a thing, and says he doesn’t want Mariam to “feele the furie of the sword” (4.4.90). As Mariam and the soldiers listen, Herod wrestles aloud with his ambivalent feelings, asking the guard why he has seized “the fairest lam / Of all the flocke” (4.4.96-97). Changing course, he then demands that she be taken to prison rather than to death. The guards escort her away. Herod asserts that he cannot believe she really intended to poison him. Regardless, he intends to keep her locked up.

The entire scene is a soliloquy spoken by the butler who delivered the “love potion” to Herod. He is racked with guilt over his part in the condemnation of Mariam. He names Salome as the person who envisioned the plot; she has caused darkness to rule his heart and brought about his condemnation. He says he was not raised to “slander innocents” (4.5.10). He believes his complicity is the gravest possible sin and decides he must listen to his conscience and right the wrong.

As they prepare to die, Constabarus and the two sons of Babus appear on stage, escorted by their guard. Constabarus tries to strengthen the two, saying death is the only ladder leading to Heaven. The first son says he has accepted his impending death, regretting only that Constabarus must die with them.

Constabarus advises the sons not to demean their friendship by saying this. He acknowledges that even though he spared them before, he is responsible for bringing about their deaths, because it is his wife who betrayed them. Moreover, he points out, Constabarus is the one Salome hates, and the brothers’ deaths do not serve her in any way; if they had not existed, Salome would have found some other way to kill Constabarus. Dying under these circumstances, he says, means they are dying because of him. He is grateful, however, to be dying with his friends.

Constabarus then turns his attention to Jerusalem, a city he loves as a Jew. He regrets never seeing the beauty of the city again. He says he will miss Jewish men, but he will not miss any women. Indeed, he curses them and says it is because of women that Mariam will die. He proclaims women to be the “human curse” (4.6.37)—predators who pretend to cry while thirsting for blood. They are condemned angels, beautiful only on the outside and intent on keeping men from getting to Heaven. He argues that God only refrains from wiping women out because of the promise given after the flood of Noah that there would never again be a worldwide flood.

Constabarus continues to describe women in the most acidic terms, condemning them for everything from breaking the law to being foolish, vain, and wanton. He warns that Herod, like other men, has become besotted with the charms of women. It would be better for humanity itself to founder than for womanly wiles to continue afflicting it. Since women ruined the Garden of Eden, he says, it should be expected that they would do the same for heaven. Women, he asserts, are loyal only to causing trouble, and wickedness is their primary attribute.

The second son responds to this soliloquy by pointing out that they are lucky to be dying, since it will free them from encountering women. He says that, if given the opportunity to live, he would choose never to marry a “divellish wife” (4.6.78).

As the scene begins, Herod is discussing Mariam’s fate with Salome. Herod agrees with Salome that Mariam ought to die, but he is struggling to determine the best means. Because he can’t decide how to kill her, he says he has resolved to let her live. Salome suggests beheading. Herod warns that her skin might repel the executioner’s blade, in which case the news might get out that Judea has no viable weapons, and the whole country might fall to an invasion.

Salome suggests drowning Mariam. Herod says the river may be so beguiled by her beauty that it stops flowing or reverses its course. To this, Salome suggests that Mariam be set on fire. Herod counters that there is already flame within her heart, so fire would not devour her.

Changing course, Salome says Herod should let her live as a favor to her, his sister. He responds that Mariam must die and asks Salome if she can live without Mariam. She asks if he doubts it. He points out that Salome has had experience with losing someone she loved, but he has not. He believes that, should he slay Mariam and not be able to stand her absence, Salome would find a way to bring her back. He gives Salome permission to order Mariam’s death and she immediately leaves.

This surprises Herod, who marvels that Salome has so easily ordered what he could not—an act he compares to overthrowing the world. He wonders if Salome’s “hearts composure [is] hardest stone” and asks how women can be so cruel (4.7.42).

Salome soon returns, and Herod asks how she could give an execution order so casually. Salome replies that she has no trouble at all giving the order if it will result in Mariam’s death.

Herod asks if Salome has beheld Mariam’s face, to which his sister replies that she has a thousand times. He asks her to describe Mariam’s appearance. Salome describes Mariam as an attractive creature who perpetually charms those who cannot see through her. Herod orders that Mariam’s life be spared; he takes issue with Salome’s description, implying that Salome must be confusing her with someone else. Salome says Mariam is beautiful indeed, but guilty of “foule dishonors” and without shame (4.7.60).

Herod calms and agrees to allow the death of Mariam. He says she has committed one thing for which she must die. Salome asks what it is. Herod retorts that, if Salome doesn’t know what Mariam is guilty of, he certainly doesn’t. He once again demands Salome stop the execution, saying he is glad Mariam is innocent and comparing her beauty to Helen of Troy.

Salome agrees that Mariam is like Helen in trapping those she desires. She says it is time for her to speak up, since Herod has forgotten that even Mariam’s hair hides her treachery. Herod says he appreciates Salome reminding him of this, since he did not realize Mariam’s hair was actually a snare—the most beautiful he has ever seen. He asks Salome if she has ever heard Mariam speak, and whether her speech impressed her. When Salome replies that she has but was unimpressed, Herod again implies she must be confusing Mariam with someone else; Mariam is so witty that Salome would surely remember hearing her talk. Salome counters that Mariam’s words are cunning and false, and that she is able to lead others to act evilly on her behalf with the intent of harming Herod.

Herod vacillates. He knows Mariam’s words are capable of swaying others. He commands the executioner to be quick so he does not fall under her spell. Her beauty might have the same effect, however, so “Her murthererr must be both deafe and blinde” (4.7.97). He wonders if he should allow the death of someone so beguiling, describing her as a divine creature and saying, “She is like Heaven, and must be heavenly true” (4.7.109). Salome points out that Herod is raving and portraying Mariam as far more radiant than is humanly possible. She counsels him to drop his emotionality and be more thoughtful.

Herod turns his attention to his sister, noting that she is considered an attractive person, though she does not compare to Mariam. Indeed, he says that next to Mariam, Salome looks like an ape. He builds at length upon the idea of Mariam’s beauty far surpassing that of Salome. He says he must prevent her execution because there is not another like her in the world. Looking to Salome, he asks why she is waiting to stop the execution. Salome taunts Herod, saying that Mariam loves Sohemus and might even “change” into a faithful person for his sake if she lives.

This stops Herod, who exclaims, “Oh God: tis true” (4.7.130). He thinks of Sohemus and asks why his counselor and his wife joined in plotting against him. Herod speaks again of the surpassing power of Mariam’s words and beauty. If Mariam had been Israel’s queen, he argues, neither David nor Solomon would never have strayed to other women. However, he acknowledges that all his speculation avails nothing; Mariam is deceitful and her only purpose is to trap some poor fellow into a life of misery. He says he is that man. He wants to see her one more time before he has her beheaded, wondering if merely looking at her will bedazzle him. Salome agrees; she says Mariam cannot betray him anymore since both her alleged co-conspirators, Josephus and Sohemus, are already dead. Herod vacillates again, saying he has decided not to see her, since it would just bring him greater pain.

He recalls having had Josephus killed for revealing his vow to Mariam. He blames Salome for telling him of the betrayals. If it weren’t for his sister, he says, he would never have known Mariam was anything but pure. Salome exits, chiding her brother for being consumed by his passions to the extent that he’s blaming her. Herod proclaims that his emotions overwhelm him so much that he is not sure he is making good judgments. He decides he must lie down and sleep.

Alone and waiting to die, Mariam gives a lengthy soliloquy. She marvels at her folly, for she had believed she was too beautiful for Herod to decide to execute her. Just like it would with an ordinary person, death will have its way with her. She realizes she actually plotted against herself. She is more responsible for allowing Herod to condemn her than any other person’s plot against her.

She compares herself to Herod’s other lovers and the most beautiful noblewomen of the time, saying that Herod scorned them for her. Now she recognizes that, had she been as humble as she was beautiful and vain, she wouldn’t be in this position. She had hoped that her chastity and virtuousness would protect her and they did not. Still, she consoles herself that her only sin was her attitude, and that in dying she will escape her enemies.

As Mariam continues to speak, Doris enters and listens to her. Mariam mocks “Princes great in power, and high in birth” (4.8.48), noting that they came from dust and have only earthly power. She consoles herself that she will be with Abraham’s wife Sarah in Heaven. Doris contradicts her, saying her beauty cannot help her in Heaven; she will be condemned as an adulteress for living nine years with Herod. Mariam asks her who she is and why she has come to torment a person who is as virtuous as she is beautiful. Doris identifies herself as the true wife of Herod, proclaiming that Mariam stole her husband.

Mariam points out that the Mosaic law allows a man to divorce his wife for a person better suited. Doris asks why Herod should be displeased with her, since she gave him children, wealth, and nobility. She demands that Mariam tell her what defect of hers caused Herod to abandon her. Doris then announces that she has regularly prayed that Mariam would suffer the same fate she did, and now her prayer is being answered. She adds that Mariam’s children will suffer even more.

Mariam pleads with Doris on bended knee to spare her children. If Heaven is to condemn her, she wants the blame to end with her and not her offspring. Doris responds that “[h]ad [she] ten thousand tongues, and ev’ry tongue / Inflam’d with poisons power and steept in gall” her condemnation would not make up for what she has suffered (4.8.86-87). She calls upon the heavens to curse Mariam and her children; she asks that the children live long enough to understand why they are being tormented, and that their doom resulted from the plotting of their closest friends. Finally, turning to Mariam, she says her last petition is that her son be the person who puts Mariam’s children to death.

Mariam begs Heaven to deny Doris’s prayer and instead place the curse upon the one who sought it. She bids farewell to life, saying that while she may be young, she had already lived too long.

The act closes with the Chorus reciting six stanzas. They proclaim that the noblest human deed is deciding not to seek revenge, for revenge binds the victim to the offender. The better victory, they say, is to still one's emotions and refocus one’s intentions.

The Chorus reflects on the quality of those against whom we seek revenge, asking if the person we hate deserves our animosity. They suggest that it’s unworthy to seek vengeance against a worthier person, and beneath us to seek vengeance against an unworthy person. They note that pride often stops us from backing down from the desire for revenge, which only demonstrates our weakness. They proclaim that a virtuous heart scorns the desire for revenge, particularly for petty wrongs: forgotten promises, debts owed, and lies told. They counsel that one should try to forget remembered wrongs and the emotional pain they engender.

Changing course, the Chorus says that if we have to seek revenge, we should do it in the noblest way and avoid physical injury or hatred, which might result in our offender having reason to seek revenge in return. Applying this to Mariam, they say she would have been better served to forget her desire for vengeance against Herod, in which case he would have showered her with love. The end result for her would have been a lengthy, noteworthy life.