# Divine Intervention and Miracles in Plays

> Theme guide for Plays by Roswitha of Gandersheim.

Miraculous events—such as the resurrection of Drusiana and Callimachus, the protection of martyrs from fire, and the comic bewilderment of persecutors—demonstrate God's direct power and the triumph of faith over natural law.

## Where it surfaces

- [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-i-scene-ii): Constance expresses trust in God's help and prays for a change in Gallicanus's heart, invoking divine aid.
- [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-i-scene-v): Constance implores Christ to intervene and turn Gallicanus from his unlawful purpose, trusting in divine grace to change hearts.
- [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-i-scene-vi): Constance sees God's potential hand in converting Gallicanus through her servants.
- [Scene IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-i-scene-ix): John's promise and the sudden weakening of the enemy army demonstrate God's direct intervention in battle.
- [Scene XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-i-scene-xi): Gallicanus's thanksgiving implies divine aid in his victory, reinforcing the theme of God's role in earthly battles.
- [Scene XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-i-scene-xii): A young man carrying a cross appears to Gallicanus in battle, leading him to victory and conversion, exemplifying miraculous divine aid.
- [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-ii-scene-ii): The soldiers are struck with leprosy or madness upon entering Gallicanus's castle, suggesting a miraculous protection of the Christian general.
- [Scene VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-ii-scene-viii): The son's demonic possession and Terentianus's recognition of divine wrath illustrate supernatural punishment for sacrilege.
- [Scene IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-ii-scene-ix): The healing of Terentianus's son through the intercession of the martyrs demonstrates divine power working through the saints.
- [Dulcitius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/dulcitius): Divine power is shown through Dulcitius' delusion with kitchen pots, the sisters' preservation in the furnace, and Irena's miraculous rescue by strangers.
- [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-iv): Dulcitius's delusion and blackening are presented as a form of divine punishment or mockery, protecting the virgins.
- [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-v): Dulcitius is supernaturally befouled, causing his soldiers to mistake him for a devil.
- [Scene VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-viii): Dulcitius's inexplicable sleep is presented as a divine intervention protecting the holy women from violation.
- [Scene XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-xi): The fire fails to consume the sisters, demonstrating God's power over nature.
- [Scene XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-xiii): The appearance of two gorgeously dressed strangers who divert Irena from the brothel to the mountain suggests miraculous intervention.
- [Callimachus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/callimachus): The resurrection of Callimachus, Drusiana, and Fortunatus, as well as the divine vision and serpent's obedience.
- [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-v): John's assurance of Drusiana's soul in peace and the promise of resurrection point to divine intervention and the miraculous nature of Christian faith.
- [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-vii): The appearance of the serpent serves as a miraculous intervention to protect Drusiana's corpse from defilement.
- [Scene VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-viii): God appears in a vision to promise the resurrection of Drusiana and Callimachus, demonstrating miraculous power.
- [Scene IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-ix): John raises the dead through Christ's power, and divine judgment is evident in Fortunatus's second death.
- [Scene IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-ix): Abraham and Ephrem attribute Mary's rescue and repentance to divine grace, emphasizing miraculous intervention.
- [Scene XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-xi): Paul's vision of a bed, crown, and angels directly communicates God's acceptance of Thais's repentance.
- [Scene XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-xii): Paphnutius's prophecy of Thais's death and ascension to Paradise in fifteen days implies divine intervention in her salvation.
- [Scene XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-xiii): Paphnutius's prayer invokes divine intervention for Thais's soul and the future resurrection of her body.
- [Sapientia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/sapientia): Miracles protect the martyrs: fire fails to burn Charity, scourging does not harm Hope, and a heavenly fragrance fills the room.
- [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-v): Miracles include milk flowing from wounds, swimming in boiling pitch, a cauldron bursting, and a heavenly fragrance from torn flesh.
- [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-vi): Charity's survival of scourging and the fiery furnace, along with the appearance of three men in white, demonstrates miraculous divine protection.
- [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-vii): Sapientia invokes Christ's role in quickening Charity in the womb and receiving her spirit, implying divine presence in the martyrdom.
- [Scene IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-ix): Sapientia prays for a swift death, trusting in Christ's promise of eternal life and resurrection.

## Links

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