John the Baptist
John the Baptist appears in the poem “The Daughter of Herodias” as part of the “The Epic of Women” series. The character is based on the Biblical figure, of course, who gained his name for inventing the ritual of baptism and then proceeding to baptize Jesus. He is portrayed in the poem as complete mystic given to his industrious labor as work in the name of God.
Salome
Salome also appears in “The Daughter of Herodias” with her own self-titled section. Salome is another figure from Biblical reference who is part of “The Epic of Women” who are notable for seducing men. Salome performed an erotic dance of the veils for King Herod as part of a rather complicated plan to come into possession of the head of John the Baptist.
Zuleika and the Minstrel
“Zuleika” is a poem addressed to the reader in the second person as a character who loved and longed for her. The “you” situated in the reader’s position had abducted and imprisoned her until she was rescued by a minstrel. The direct address to the “you” character is rather insulting as the speaker takes pains to point out that the song sung by the minstrel was sweeter than Zuleika’s abductor could ever have sung.
The Young Murderess
“To a Young Murderess” is another direct address, but this time specifically to a pale woman with golden blonde locks. Although not part of the “The Epic of Women” collection, she represents another in the long line sirens and seductresses which populate the author’s body of work. She entices with her smile and entices men into death with her kisses. She is not named and the implication is that she be viewed as profoundly allegorical rather than literal.
