sALOME & Herod Antipas
Source: http://babylonbaroque.wordpress.com/2011/06/23/saint-jokanaan-the-gospel-according-to-salome/
salome's background:
Salome is a Biblical character. She is the daughter of Herodias and Herod II. Even through, her name is not mentioned in the Bible, this story is described in Mark 6:21-29 & Matthew 14:6-11 in the New Testament. Herodias divorced Herod II and married his brother, Herod Antipas. This was not allowed by the Jewish Laws. Therefore she received criticism by many people, such as John the Baptist. For this reason, Herodias influenced her daughter, Salome, to seductively dance for her step-father. In the hope for receiving a reward, the head of John the Baptist. Salome followed her mother's influence and danced for Herod Antipas on his birthday, he was mesmerized and granted her a wish. Herod Antipas commanded for John the Baptist to be executed and brought his head on a plate to his step daughter. Later on, his disciples curried the body of John the Baptist.
Intertextual references:
Simon? Andrew? John? I knew I'd feel better (15) - reference to Jesus' disciples
The author makes reference to Jesus' disciples to refer to the story of Salome in Bible (Mark 6:21-29 & Matthew 14:6-11).
The author makes reference to Jesus' disciples to refer to the story of Salome in Bible (Mark 6:21-29 & Matthew 14:6-11).