# John — Plays character guide

> John in Plays by Roswitha of Gandersheim.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** John, blessed John, John Drusiana, John Calhmachus

**First appearance:** 0053-callimachus

## Snapshot

The apostle who arrives where grief is loudest, raising the dead and reading the living with a calm that unsettles everyone he comforts.

## Who they are

John moves through these plays as the Church's living authority, summoned when Andronicus collapses over Drusiana's body and needed again when Callimachus's passion turns fatal. His tension is pastoral: he refuses to let mourners drown in sorrow, insisting that those whose souls rejoice should not be wept over bitterly, yet he must also confront desires he cannot simply bless. He anchors the early arc by turning private grief into public miracle, setting the terms for how conversion and resurrection will work in Roswitha's world.

## In the story

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

Grand Almoner to Constance in Part I.

### [Characters in Part II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/characters-in-part-ii)

Listed as a character in Part II.

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

John is one of Constance's almoners whom she proposes to send with Gallicanus on his expedition.

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

John is summoned by Constance at the end of the scene.

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

Sent by Constance to instruct Gallicanus in the faith.

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

Arrives with Paul at Gallicanus's command, acknowledges Constance's love for Gallicanus, and withdraws rather than participate in pagan sacrifices.

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

Explains that they were seeing to their baggage and have sent it ahead.

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

Promises Gallicanus victory if he becomes a Christian, and later exhorts him to keep his vow.

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

Affirms that the glory of victory belongs to the one true God.

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

Referenced as one of Gallicanus's faithful companions who advised him to make a vow to the Creator.

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

Refuses to serve Julian, praises Christian emperors, and accepts the respite for prayer.

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

One of the martyrs invoked by Terentianus; his intercession is credited with the healing.

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

Listed as the Apostle John in the chapter.

### [Callimachus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/callimachus)

Apostle who raises Callimachus and Drusiana from the dead, guides Callimachus to repentance.

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

Mentioned as the holy Apostle whom Drusiana follows.

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

Sent for by Andronicus after Drusiana's death.

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

John comforts Andronicus after Drusiana's death and instructs him to perform proper funeral rites.

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

Leads Andronicus to Drusiana's tomb and witnesses a divine vision.

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

Discovers the open tomb, raises Callimachus and Drusiana from the dead, and condemns Fortunatus for his envy.

## Links

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