# Abraham — Plays character guide

> Abraham in Plays by Roswitha of Gandersheim.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Abraham, Abraham Mary, Abraham Brother Ephrem

**First appearance:** 0066-abraham

## Who they are

A hermit who disguises himself as a suitor to enter a brothel and win back the niece he raised in the desert.

## Relationships

### [Mary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/characters/mary)

_family_

Abraham is the uncle of Mary, guiding her after her fall into a life of sin.

### [Paphnutius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/characters/paphnutius)

_friendship_

Abraham and Paphnutius are fellow ascetics who share advice and spiritual counsel.

## In the story

### [The Plays of Roswitha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/the-plays-of-roswitha)

A hermit who rescues his niece Mary from a life of sin, showing compassion and wisdom.

### [Characters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/characters)

Listed as a character in the play.

### [Abraham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/abraham)

The hermit who adopts his niece Mary, guides her, and later rescues her from a life of sin.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-i)

Expresses concern for his orphaned niece Mary's spiritual and physical well-being, seeking Ephrem's approval for his plan to dedicate her to Christ.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-ii)

Acts as Mary's adoptive father, guiding her toward chastity and planning her religious instruction.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-iii)

Distraught hermit who seeks Ephrem's counsel after his adopted daughter Mary's fall and flight; he resolves to pursue her in disguise.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-iv)

Learns of Mary's fall and resolves to rescue her by disguising himself as a soldier.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-v)

Abraham approaches the innkeeper, disguised as a traveler, and requests to dine with the beautiful girl.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-vi)

Disguises himself as a lecherous old man to approach Mary in the brothel, struggling to hide his sorrow and maintain his composure.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-vii)

Abraham disguises himself to enter the brothel, reveals his identity to Mary, and guides her toward repentance with compassion and firmness.

### [Scene VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-viii)

Guides Mary to her cell and plans to visit Ephrem.

### [Scene IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-ix)

Returns to Ephrem with news of Mary's rescue and describes her penance.

### [A Note on the Acting of the Plays](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/a-note-on-the-acting-of-the-plays)

Listed among the more actable plays, suggesting its potential for effective staging.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/characters/abraham
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/characters