We get to know Esther as a young Jewish girl, orphaned by both parents and being raised and educated by Mordecai, her kinsman. She is a daughter of captivity belonging to the fourth generation of the Jews who were taken captive by Nebukadnezzar, the Babilonian king. She lives in Persian capital of Susa, Babilon being engulfed by the Persian empire.

The whole story of the book of Esther is a mystery, a masked scenario. The very name Esther which in Persian means “star” acts as a disguise for her true identity. Esther’s real Hebrew name is Hadassah meaning in Hebrew myrtle. There is a part of her identity she is fully aware of – her Jewishness, but it remains to be questioned how knowledgeable she is about all the implications her Hebrew name carries along with it. Doesn’t myrtle represent in the symbolism of the four plants of Succoth those in the Jewish community who posses good deeds without the knowledge of the Torah? Esther easily persuaded by Mordecai who is the authority figure in her life, decides to stand for her people before the king even if it means a death sentence. She calls her people to fast, acting like a priest who calls the solemn assembly and consecrates the fast, but doesn’t it come from the motivation of her heart yet strengthened, with her indelible Jewish identity, rather than scholarliness?

Myrtle was a plant secret to the Greek goddess Aphrodite, the goddess of love, beauty and sexuality. She is given to the Bridegroom, Xerxes as a myrtle, the symbol of love and immortality all under the disguise of Esther. Will she be in fear for her life to go to the king against the law? Love is stronger than death and perfect love does away with all fear. Yes, Esther loves the king and she loves her people. That love saves the Jews that same love is recognized by the king, Esther becomes his secret weapon in undoing the law which the king himself cannot break. Much blood will be shed on both sides, the sacrifices save the lives of many.

The plot is a suspense story with all the elements a good thriller should have: Esther is placed in a dangerous, life threatening situation, from which escape seems impossible.  The spectator is hooked by an intense need to know what will happen to these characters that have become like friends. The very way she chooses to disclose her plea to the king is a great piece of script. Being full of dignity, a self – contained and a self -controlled woman, unlike most of the others, she invites the king and Haman to the feast at her quarters. The suspense builds as she answers the king’s question about her wish with the second unemotional invitation. Now the curiosity of the king rises and so does the viewers’.

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