Play on Words

full length · drama

John the Baptist: A Play

by Hermann Sudermann · translated by Beatrice Marshall

39 roles (0M / 0F / 39 any) · approx 113–156 minutes · 9 acts

Royalty-free Public domain — free to read, perform, and adapt. No licence needed.

Characters

John lead 208 speeches
Herod supporting 139 speeches
Salome supporting 117 speeches
Herodias supporting 100 speeches
Josaphat supporting 60 speeches
Miriam minor 30 speeches
Gaoler minor 27 speeches
Amasai minor 23 speeches
Manassa minor 22 speeches
Eliakim minor 21 speeches
Vitellius minor 20 speeches
Matthias minor 19 speeches
Gabalos minor 18 speeches
First Galilean minor 18 speeches
Jael minor 17 speeches
Amarja minor 16 speeches
Pasur minor 15 speeches
The People minor 12 speeches
Abi minor 11 speeches
Mesulemeth minor 11 speeches
Second Soldier minor 10 speeches
Maecha minor 10 speeches
Hachmoni minor 8 speeches
Merokles minor 8 speeches
Second Galilean minor 8 speeches
First Soldier minor 6 speeches
Third Soldier minor 6 speeches
First Priest minor 6 speeches
Jabad minor 6 speeches
The Boy minor 6 speeches
First Woman minor 5 speeches
Marcellus minor 5 speeches
Hadidja minor 4 speeches
The Citizen minor 4 speeches
Simon The Galilean minor 4 speeches
Call minor 4 speeches
Citizen minor 3 speeches
Jorab minor 3 speeches
Another minor 2 speeches

Read the play

_The same_. [_Without Herodias and Salome._] _Gabalos_ [_has re-entered from left_].

Herod. Well, what is the matter?

Gabalos. Sire, the people will not be restrained. Men and women in holiday raiment fill the streets and crowd on the roofs. They carry palms in their hands, and sing and shout for joy.

Herod. What are they singing?

Gabalos. Thou knowest, Sire, I am not servile, but I scarcely like to say.

Herod. Speak!

Gabalos. Hosannah! to Him Who shall come. Hosannah to the King of the Jews! So they sing.

Herod. [_Grinding his teeth._] I have had John beheaded. Who may this one be?

Gabalos. If thou wouldst see Him, Sire, they say He is coming this way.

Herod. I will see Him. I will greet Him as I promised. Ha! ha! ha! Open!

Monologues from this play