The spiritual and psychic experiences of the characters appearing in this “Soul’s Probation” are a continuation of the experiences given in the scenes of “The Portal of Initiation,” and the events related occur several years later.
The events of the Sixth to the Ninth Scenes contain the spiritual vision of Capesius into his former life. Maria and Johannes share the experiences at the same time; but Strader’s former incarnation is only seen by Capesius, Maria, and Johannes. These scenes back into the fourteenth century are conceived as results of imaginative cognition, and in the physical world are only recognizable by their effect. The way in which a life is repeated (from occurrences of the fourteenth century into the present day) should not be taken arbitrarily, but merely as what may happen at any turning point of time. These conflicts and consequences of a former life are only possible at such a time. The Vision of Capesius into the Fourteenth Century
Note on the Costumes Worn (see also notes to the “Portal of Initiation”). The knights are in chain armour and dark blue robes of their order, with a white Maltese cross on their mantle and on their tunic. The mantle of the Grand Master is crimson; his tunic is white with a red cross. Their blue caps and the Grand Master’s red cap are flat and triangular. The apparition of Benedictus in Scene 7, is in pink peach blossom colour. He appears in the background about nine feet above the stage and remains rigid with his arms extended in cross fashion the whole time of his appearance in this scene. |