The Tower

The Tower Summary | Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

This poetic and highly allegorical play re-tells the Biblical story of Christ in the tale of Sigismund, a spiritual young man tortured and imprisoned by authority figures afraid of his power. Specific parallels to the Christ story appear throughout the play, making thematic points about the importance of integrity, faith and tensions between spiritual and earthly power.

In front of the tower, Olivier bullies and berates a young Recruit for not responding properly to his petty orders. After the Recruit goes off, conversation between the guards reveals that Olivier is the new Guard Commander. Olivier speaks arrogantly to them, and one of them comments that people with his kind of attitude go far.

At the sound of a muffled banging, Olivier orders whoever is making it to be silent. As the Recruit returns, a guard called Pancras tells Olivier that the Prisoner is making the noise. Olivier refers to the Prisoner as a prince and says that he's kept imprisoned wearing only a loincloth. Pancras reminds him that he's never to refer to the Prisoner as a prince, and Olivier arrogantly says there's no one strong enough to punish him for breaking the rules. A guard called Andrew explains the source of the noise, saying the Prisoner has a horse's bone that he uses to attack rats and other vermin when they get too much for him. Pancras suggests that because the Prisoner has been tormented since the day he was born, he torments whatever he can whenever he can. Olivier hears what he thinks are signals being passed back and forth between bands of Jewish smugglers, and Pancras comments with apparent irony on how clever he is. Andrew suggests they go out and find the smugglers, but Olivier says that because they're smuggling weapons they're to be left alone, suggesting they can sense "the bloodshed to come." The Recruit speaks superstitiously about what he thinks are other signs of bloodshed. Olivier speaks with pleasure about violence to come, and a Man with a Wooden Leg speaks in Biblical-sounding language about a man who will be raised to bring justice to the world.

As the Man and the Recruit continue to speak in poetic language about signs of approaching violence, Olivier grabs a weapon and prepares to beat the Prisoner into silence. The Recruit takes the weapon as Andrew reminds Olivier of the Ten Prohibitions, acts and behavior the guards are forbidden to do around the Prisoner. Andrew begins to list them, but Olivier says again that he can't be controlled. He, Pancras and Andrew argue over whether the Governor in charge of the tower truly has any right to issue orders. Olivier says he doesn't, and Pancras and Andrew say he does, all in poetic language. Olivier says that no one can give power to another unless he has it himself, pulling out a coin and referring to the face on it, which the audience understands to be the face of the King. Olivier demands to see the Governor, but Andrew tells him the Governor always communicates through a servant. Olivier says a servant isn't good enough to speak with him.

Anton, the Governor's servant, appears and with good humor futilely tries to pass on the Governor's orders that Olivier and the guards are to withdraw. Still silent, Olivier walks away from him, leading the other guards offstage. As he goes, Anton comments ironically on his good manners.

The Doctor comes in, asking for his patient. Anton tells him he needs to be asking for the Prisoner, not his patient. Conversation reveals that the Prisoner is kept in a cage, day and night, all year round, and that Anton sometimes talks to him, but only as much as he's allowed by the Ten Prohibitions. The Doctor tells him to bring the Prisoner out, saying he'll take the responsibility for anything that happens. Anton calls to the Prisoner by name - Sigismund. The Prisoner doesn't respond. Anton talks about how sometimes the Prisoner flies into a rage and attacks animals as though he were an animal himself. Anton says the Prisoner is actually educated, and then he goes to the cage, talking to the Prisoner in friendly terms. He opens the cage and withdraws quietly, saying the Prisoner must not be startled and urging the Doctor to give the Prisoner some medicine to calm him and make him happy. He sees the Prisoner is emerging from the cage and pretends to lie down and go to sleep.

The Prisoner - Sigismund - appears. Anton gently tells him to not be afraid of the Doctor, saying he can help him, and then assures the Doctor that Sigismund does know how to communicate, recounting how he spent much of his childhood with a family in the country. Anton tells Sigismund that today, speaking is allowed, and he promises that better times are coming. The Doctor comments on how what has been done to Sigismund is "monstrous" and asks whether he'd like to live in a different place. Sigismund responds in child-like, poetic language about beasts that all want to attack him and how he beats them back. Anton calls for a light so the Doctor can look into Sigismund's eyes. Sigismund asks the Doctor for help, and the Doctor says Sigismund seems to have difficulty telling the difference between his internal and external worlds. Sigismund speaks, again poetically, about how good he feels with the Doctor, and after Anton prompts him, he speaks in Biblical-sounding language about a prophecy contained in the "Seven Seals." A Soldier comes with a light, and the Doctor looks into Sigismund's eyes. He says he sees no madness, only "agony without end." As Anton puts the light out, Sigismund comments that life is good and says he has a star in him. This leads the Doctor to comment that because Sigismund clearly has a beautiful soul, the crime committed against him by imprisoning him is doubly awful.

Julian, the Governor, appears. Anton says that means the examination is over and tells Sigismund to go back into his cage. Sigismund refuses, and Anton picks up a weapon to prod him in. The Doctor tells him to tolerate his imprisonment one more day, until he can change the situation. As Sigismund goes in, the Doctor comments on his princely dignity. Anton locks the door, and he and the Doctor go up to see Julian.