Saul (Alfieri)

Saul is a theatrical tragedy in five acts, written by Vittorio Alfieri in 1782,[1] in which the eponymous protagonist simultaneously embodies the tragic heroism of both tyrant and victim.

In the narration, Alfieri adhered to the unity of time (one day only), of space (Gelboé) and of action, which were strictly Aristotelian.

Saul, a brave warrior, was crowned king of Israel at the request of the people and consecrated by the priest Samuel, who anointed him in the name of God.

David at one point, however, makes a mistake, speaking of "two lambs" in Israel, and this generates Saul's murderous delirium towards the young man.

In the last act, Saul foresees in a nightmare his own death and that of his sons and with a vision full of blood he awakens, and grasps the reality of the facts: the Philistines are attacking them, and the Israelite army is unable to defend itself.