# Mary Magdalene — Poetry character guide

> Mary Magdalene in Poetry by George MacDonald.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mary, XV Mary

**First appearance:** 0056-the-gospel-women

## Snapshot

The sister who sits idle at the Master's feet while Martha serves, choosing the one thing needful and quietly overturning a household's idea of devotion.

## Who they are

In the home she shares with Martha and Lazarus, Mary is the still, listening presence whose refusal to help provokes her sister's shame and the poet's gentle prophecy that Martha's busy hands will one day sit as idly wise. Her desire is simply to be near the guest, a longing that later hardens into grief when she bars the Master's way with 'By this he stinketh, Lord.' She matters because her quiet choice reframes service as attention, and her sorrow over Lazarus becomes the collection's most human cry against death.

## Relationships

### [Satan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters/satan)

_rivalry_

Mary Magdalene and Satan are locked in a spiritual battle over redemption and temptation.

### [The Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters/the_master)

_friendship_

Mary Magdalene and The Master share a devoted, loyal companionship marked by spiritual guidance.

### [Saint John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters/saint_john)

_friendship_

Mary Magdalene and Saint John are close companions, united in their devotion to Jesus.

### [The Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters/the_master)

_friendship_

Mary Magdalene and The Master share a devoted, loyal companionship marked by spiritual guidance.

### [Satan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters/satan)

_rivalry_

Mary Magdalene and Satan are locked in a spiritual battle over redemption and temptation.

### [The Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters/the_master)

_friendship_

Mary Magdalene and The Master share a devoted, loyal companionship marked by spiritual guidance.

### [Satan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters/satan)

_rivalry_

Mary Magdalene and Satan are locked in a spiritual battle over redemption and temptation.

## In the story

### [The Disciple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-disciple)

Mentioned as Mary, to whom Jesus spoke harshly, causing the narrator to question his character.

### [The Gospel Women](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/the-gospel-women)

Depicted as a woman tormented by demons, who finds peace and transformation through Jesus' forgiveness and love.

### [XII: Mary Magdalene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/xii-mary-magdalene)

The central figure, depicted as tormented by demons and madness, then healed by Christ, present at the crucifixion, and first to witness the resurrection.

### [XIV: Martha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/xiv-martha)

Mary is depicted sitting idly at rest, contrasting with Martha's busyness, and is held up as a model of contemplative devotion.

### [XV: Mary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/xv-mary)

Portrayed as the devoted listener at Jesus' feet and the anointer of his head and feet with costly chrism.

### [The Woman That Was a Sinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/xvi-the-woman-that-was-a-sinner)

Mentioned as one who anointed Jesus' head with spikenard, contrasted with the woman who anointed his feet.

### [March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/march)

Mentioned as Mary at Christ's feet, a model of worship and devotion.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters/mary_magdalene
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/poetry_8_se/characters