Noli Me Tangere · Chapter
Epigraph explained
The epigraph, a quotation from Schiller's 'Shakespeare's Ghost,' questions the absence of classical heroic figures on the modern stage, lamenting that only mundane officials and clergy appear instead of great characters like Caesar, Achille
What happens
The epigraph, a quotation from Schiller's 'Shakespeare's Ghost,' questions the absence of classical heroic figures on the modern stage, lamenting that only mundane officials and clergy appear instead of great characters like Caesar, Achilles, or Orestes.
Themes in this chapter
Colonial Oppression and Abuse of Power
The epigraph implicitly critiques a society where only 'parsons, and syndics of commerce, secretaries, ensigns and majors' appear, highlighting the absence of true greatness under colonial rule.
Key passages
“What? Does no Caesar, does no Achilles, appear on your stage now? Not an Andromache e’en, not an Orestes, my friend? No! there is nought to be seen there but parsons, and syndics of commerce, Secretaries perchance, ensigns and majors of horse.”
Why are there no heroic figures like Caesar or Achilles on your stage? Not even Andromache or Orestes? Instead, we only see clergymen, merchants, secretaries, and military officers.
The epigraph sets a tone of disillusionment with the lack of noble or heroic characters in the society depicted in the novel.