Balthasars Nachtmahl

Balthasars Nachtmahl, written by Pedro Calderón de la Barca, is a dramatic play based on the biblical story of Belshazzar's feast from the Book of Daniel, dating back to the 17th century. The narrative centers on King Balthasar, who celebrates a lavish wedding while desecrating sacred vessels taken from Jerusalem. This act leads to a prophetic warning inscribed on the palace wall, interpreted by the prophet Daniel as a foretelling of the king's downfall. The play explores themes of hubris, divine judgment, and the consequences of sacrilege.