# Irena — Plays character guide

> Irena in Plays by Roswitha of Gandersheim.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Irena, Sisinnius Irena

**First appearance:** 0035-dulcitius

## Who they are

The youngest of three martyr sisters, whose calm defiance turns soldiers, mountains, and a count's arrows into instruments of her triumph.

## In the story

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

One of the three sisters

### [Dulcitius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/dulcitius)

Youngest sister; remains resolute against threats of torture and defilement, is miraculously rescued by strangers and taken to a mountain.

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

The youngest sister who refuses to bow to idols and desires martyrdom.

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

The third imprisoned Christian woman, part of the group that Dulcitius desires.

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

Witnesses and describes Dulcitius's deluded behavior to the others.

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

Young sister kept back from the others for separate treatment.

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

Brought forward by soldiers after the martyrdom of her sisters.

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

Refuses to yield, asserting that greater pain brings greater glory and that her soul remains pure regardless of bodily defilement.

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

Mentioned as the girl who was taken to the mountain by two strangers instead of the brothel.

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

Defiantly confronts Sisinnius, embracing martyrdom and the crown of virginity.

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

One of Sapientia's daughters, here called Charity, who suggests going hand in hand to the tyrant to shame him.

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

Not present in this scene.

## Links

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