A princess becomes obsessed with a captive prophet, leading to a gruesome demand that shatters the royal court. Salome, the stepdaughter of King Herod, finds herself fixated on the imprisoned Jochanaan, whose rejection of her advances ignites a volatile mix of desire and vengeance. She navigates the claustrophobic and decadent atmosphere of the palace, eventually leveraging her influence over the King to secure a morbid prize. The narrative unfolds through a singular, intense act that builds toward a shocking climax, emphasizing the psychological disintegration of the characters within a rigid social hierarchy.

Readers and critics frequently analyze the work for its intense psychological depth and the innovative, often dissonant, orchestration employed by Strauss. Discussion often centers on the controversial nature of the subject matter and how the music mirrors the protagonist's descent into madness. Many observers highlight the technical difficulty of the title role, noting that it requires a performer capable of sustaining extreme emotional and vocal intensity. The work remains a subject of debate regarding its historical impact on the development of modern opera and its departure from traditional melodic structures.