Analysis Of The Play 'The Tragedy Of Mariam'

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In the play The Tragedy of Mariam by Elizabeth Cary, we see how society functions under Herod’s tyrannical rule. The character of Herod displays tyrannical traits of controlling his society and having hubris. For example, Herod’s disappearance gives Pheroras a token to marry his lover Graphina, Constabarus the chance to set Babas’ sons free, and Mariam the chance to live since no one is there to kill her. However, this freedom is countered by the fears that these characters manifest. Tyranny seeps into the public conscience, so that even when the physical tyrant is absent, the people’s ingrained fears and obedience limit their freedom. Herod claims absolute power as a king and this especially affects his wife, Mariam. Herod holds possession of Mariam and tries to control her without allowing anyone or herself have authority over her choices. Mariam begins the play with a speech which explains how Herod demands that Mariam be dead if he ever dies, “My death to his had been unseparate” (1.1.50). Although, Josephus' death permits Mariam to live, considering it was his duty to kill her. Mariam is free from her sentence, but despite the idea that the king is not apparent, Mariam still hates …show more content…

People are fixed on the idea that they must be obedient to a specific ruler even when he’s away. Multiple characters support the notion that if a tyrant ruler isn’t present, they still should feel fear, including his wife, Mariam, his brother, Pheroras, and lastly Constabarus. Each one of these characters possessed a sense of fear and anxiety even when a physical tyrant was not apparent. The people’s entrenched terrors and compliance limit their freedom due to the fact that tyranny filters into their moral sense. Which makes us wonder if Herod never returned, would this tyranny come to an

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