Leonid Andreyev

Anathema. A Tragedy in Seven Scenes Leonid Andreyev

The scene represents a wild, deserted place, the slope of a mountain rising to infinite heights. In the rear of the stage, halfway up the mountain, huge iron gates, tightly closed, indicate the boundary of the world as we conceive it. Beyond the iron gates, which oppress the earth with their enormous weight, in silence and in mystery, dwells the Beginning of every being, the Supreme Wisdom of the universe. At the foot of the Gates stands Someone guarding the entrances, leaning upon a long sword, perfectly motionless. Garbed in wide clothes, which are like stone in the motionlessness of their folds and creases. He hides His face beneath a dark cover, and is Himself the greatest of mysteries. Standing on the boundary separating two worlds, he is dual in his make-up; - in appearance a man, in reality a spirit. An arbitrator between two worlds, He is like unto a huge shield, which gathers all bolts, - all looks, all entreaties, all expectations, reproaches, and curses. The bearer of two elements. He wraps his speech in silence, which is like the silence of the iron gates, and sometimes in human words. Amidst the rocks, looking around on all sides strangely and shyly, appears Anathema, someone accursed.