The Blood of Rachel, a Dramatization of Esther, and Other Poems

"The Blood of Rachel: A Dramatization of Esther, and Other Poems" by Cotton Noe is a blend of play and poetry set in the Persian Empire, focusing on the narrative of Esther. The drama revolves around King Ahasuerus, his queen Esther, and the antagonist Haman, where the storyline combines personal struggles with sizable political issues. The drama starts in Shushan, introducing the moral questions and the royal court's sensitive problems. Ahafid, the court poet, criticizes how the king has too much fun and the people's difficulties because of high taxes, while Smerdis, the jester, mocks the king's actions. Queen Vashti is about to argue with King Ahasuerus when she declines to show herself to his party guests, showing her sadness for the Persian people's troubles. As this occurs, Esther deals with her sense of self and the risks her people encounter, preparing the play for events that will test sacrifice and bravery.