# Chastity and Virginity in Plays

> Theme guide for Plays by Roswitha of Gandersheim.

The plays consistently glorify the virtue of chastity, particularly in Christian virgins who resist sexual temptation and martyrdom, with the author explicitly stating her aim to celebrate 'the laudable chastity of Christian virgins' in contrast to pagan licentiousness.

## Where it surfaces

- [Preface to the Plays of Hrotswitha, German Religious and Virgin of the Saxon Race](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/preface-to-the-plays-of-hrotswitha-german-religious-and-virgin-of-the-saxon-race): Hrotswitha explicitly states her goal is to glorify the chastity of Christian virgins, contrasting it with the licentiousness of pagan works.
- [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-i-scene-ii): Constance's unwavering commitment to her vow of chastity drives the plot and her strategic deception.
- [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-i-scene-iv): Constance's indirect consent and the arrangement for John and Paul to accompany Gallicanus suggest her commitment to maintaining her virtuous lifestyle even within the marriage agreement.
- [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-i-scene-v): Constance prays for preservation of her virginity and exhorts Artemia and Attica to keep their vow of purity, linking it to the company of consecrated virgins.
- [Scene XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-i-scene-xii): Constance and Gallicanus's daughters choose to keep their vow of virginity, and Gallicanus himself renounces marriage to serve God.
- [Scene XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-i-scene-xiii): Constance and her virgins are praised for preserving their virginity, and Gallicanus supports their vow.
- [Dulcitius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/dulcitius): The sisters' unwavering commitment to virginity is central; Irena declares that defilement of the body without the soul's consent does not incur guilt, and the crown of virginity is promised to martyrs.
- [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-i): The sisters prioritize their purity and faith over marriage, refusing to deny Christ to wed court nobles.
- [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-ii): The women's steadfast faith and rejection of Dulcitius's advances underscore their commitment to Christian chastity.
- [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-iii): The women's hymn-singing symbolizes their spiritual purity, which Dulcitius seeks to violate.
- [Scene XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-xiv): Irena speaks of being adorned with the crown of virginity, linking her physical purity to her spiritual triumph.
- [Callimachus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/callimachus): Drusiana's vow of chastity and her rejection of Callimachus's advances, even refusing her husband's bed, highlight the theme.
- [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-ii): Drusiana's devotion to God and refusal to sleep with her husband Andronicus exemplifies the ideal of chastity.
- [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-iii): Drusiana's rejection of Callimachus and her renunciation of her husband's bed highlight the theme of chastity.
- [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-iv): Drusiana's vow of chastity is central; she chooses death rather than risk breaking it or causing Callimachus to sin.
- [Abraham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/abraham): Mary is urged to imitate the Virgin Mary's chastity, and her fall is seen as a loss of virginity, which she seeks to reclaim through penance.
- [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-i): Abraham and Ephrem discuss Mary's potential as a 'spouse of Christ,' emphasizing the crown of virginity as a central virtue.
- [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-ii): The central theme of the chapter, as Abraham and Ephrem urge Mary to imitate the Virgin Mary's chastity and keep her body unspotted.
- [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-iv): Sapientia emphasizes that she raised her daughters to be wed to a heavenly bridegroom, linking virginity with spiritual purity and reward.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/themes/chastity_and_virginity
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/themes