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...