# Mary — Plays character guide

> Mary in Plays by Roswitha of Gandersheim.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mary, Lady Mary, Mary Wretch

**First appearance:** 0066-abraham

## Who they are

Raised in a hermit's cell, she trades holiness for a harlot's life, then finds her old self ambushed by a familiar fragrance.

## Relationships

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

_family_

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

## In the story

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

A young woman who lapses from religious life but is redeemed through her uncle Abraham's intervention.

### [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)

Abraham's young niece who initially chooses chastity but falls into sin, later repents and does penance.

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

Abraham's young niece, aged nearly eight, who is the subject of the conversation; she is being raised at Abraham's hermitage.

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

The young niece who learns the meaning of her name and chooses to dedicate herself to a life of purity.

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

Abraham's adopted daughter, who was seduced by a false monk, fled her cell, and returned to the world; she is the subject of the rescue mission.

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

Mentioned as having become a prostitute, living in a brothel.

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

Mary is the beautiful girl living at the inn whom Abraham wishes to see.

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

Now a prostitute, she is initially unaware of Abraham's identity but is briefly stirred by a scent that recalls her past innocence.

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

Mary initially resists but is moved by Abraham's love and mercy, agreeing to abandon her sinful life and follow his guidance.

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

Shows remorse and fear of the cell where she sinned.

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

Reported to be doing rigorous penance, wearing a hair shirt, fasting, and praying for those she tempted.

## Links

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