Judith's post

     The MDQ of Judith would be, “Does Judith’s attitude and behavior change?  In the beginning, she was very subservient and quiet.  She didn’t speak much even when the servant was trying to prompt her to speak with statements and questions like, “She talks about death all the time. Don’t you?”  Only when her servant was threatened, did she speak up.   She was also very modest when at first she refused to take her clothes off.  She is struggling with the very idea.  She knew it would be difficult to be with Holofernes.  We can see her struggle as Barker put many of her word in bold print such as; “You – make – this – so,” thus emphasizing the point. 

     Her attitude changes, as she starts to make Holofernes comfortable with talk of death and kisses.  Holofernes begins to feels he has won the “battle” when he thinks that Judith is beginning to love him.

     The servant is constantly reminding Judith of her duty to Israel to kill Holofernes who is their enemy and she would become a hero. She says, “Israel commands you.”  Judith is still unsure of herself but listens to the voice of her servant.  When the servant starts to scream out, “Oh, the barbaric and inferior vile inhuman bestial and bloodsoaked monster of depravity,” Judith is ready to strike and kill Holofernes.  Instead of the woman looking down all the time and being subservient, she becomes the executioner.

Afterwards, Judith’s attitude changes again.  She wants to make love the headless body of Holofernes.  She almost feels sorry for him and is unable to move.  Still the servant tries to tell her to bring the head back to Israel saying, “You will be honoured. All Israel will.”  Finally, when Judith collects herself, she takes charge telling the servant what to do.  She firmly says to the servant, “Who said you could get up.”  Yes, Judith answers the MDQ in the affirmative.  She went from a lowly widow to a tower of strength as she is the last one to leave the tent.