The Major Dramatic Question of Judith is, “Will Judith reclaim her control?” As the reader, we want to read Judith
triumph. This question allows the
protagonist to grow and change throughout the process of the play. From the beginning to the end, Judith
gains the courage and the will power to regain her control from Holofernes
first and then the servant.
Holofernes
is the one in control at the start.
Judith stammers out her thoughts in submission to Holofernes. She slowly gains control of the
situation until Holofernes’ death.
She is taking control for her country. Israel can once again hold the power instead of Holofernes.
Next, Judith has to overcome the servant.
By the end, Judith is proudly standing on her own, powerful. She not only stands for Israel, but she
also stands for herself. She
stands strong on the stage by herself.
It is in that moment, the reader notices the change in Judith. She went from doing and listening to
what Holofernes and the servant said, to being the one in control. Judith transforms before the readers’
eyes and answers the MDQ with, “Yes, I do have the power and control.”
Your response really opened up my eyes to how strong the character Judith is. When reading it I found her a little whinny and brainless. She allowed Holofernes and the Servant to influence her decisions. Now I see that Judith could be played as a strong woman who has to take on many burdens to save her country.
ReplyDeleteI don't necessarily agree with this MDQ, as I think in order for the question to be "Will Judith regain control?" it implies that she had to be in control to begin with. Although it is true that Judith goes in to Holofernes with the intention of gaining control in order to save the people and her child, i think perhaps a better phrasing of this question could be "Will Judith gain control?" That way, it doesn't say anything about her control prior to the start of the play.
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