Salome Lesson Plan

Describe the tone of Robert Ross's introductory note to Salome. What can we conclude about Oscar Wilde and about Wilde's relationship with Ross from this note? How does this introduction influence your reading of the first section of the play?

Students may find many angles from which to examine the introductory note. If students are already familiar with Wilde's life, they may already know that Wilde and Ross were close friends and lovers. But even if they don't know this, we can deduce from the note alone that Ross was erudite and a close friend and equal to Wilde. We can also read beyond Ross's claims of objectivity to see that there is a loving energy behind his...