Noah, or the Destruction of the First World

The third part of the trilogy of tragedies by Dutch playwright Joost van den Vondel, written in the 17th century. Vondel, one of the greatest poets and playwrights of the Dutch Golden Age, addresses the story of the Great Flood, borrowed from the Book of Genesis. The central theme of the play is the struggle of human weakness, pride, and sinfulness against divine providence and justice. Through the complex relationships of the characters and their inner conflicts, Vondel raises questions of moral choice, faith, and responsibility to the Creator. The work is characterized by a high poetic form, rich in allusions and symbolism. "Noah, or the Destruction of the First World" not only reveals the biblical story in an artistic key, but also reflects the spiritual quests of the author himself and his reflections on the place of man in the divine plan.