# XXVIII: Woman's Love explained — Hypatia

> Chapter companion for Hypatia by Charles Kingsley.

## What happens

Pelagia, confined to her quarters, learns of a plot to hand her over to her brother. Overhearing the Amal and Wulf discuss Hypatia's rejection and their plans, she contemplates suicide but is interrupted by the Amal, who reveals Hypatia's murder. The chapter ends with the Amal embracing her and preparing to fight the Christians.

## Themes in this chapter

### Innocence and Disillusionment

Pelagia's realization of her lost innocence and the crushing of her naive hopes for love and redemption.

### Love and Redemption

Pelagia's desperate love for the Amal and her longing for redemption, culminating in her near-suicide and final embrace.

### Gender and Agency

Pelagia's lack of agency as a woman, confined and plotted against, yet her final choice to die for love and her subsequent rescue.

## Character check-ins

### Pelagia

Despairing and suicidal, she overhears plots and contemplates death, but is saved by the Amal's revelation.

### Wulf

Discusses plans with the Amal, showing his loyalty and concern for Pelagia's fate.

### Amalric

The Amal, torn between his ambitions and his feelings for Pelagia, ultimately embraces her after learning of Hypatia's death.

### Miriam

Warns Pelagia of the plot against her, showing her continued involvement in the city's intrigues.

### Hypatia

Mentioned as having been murdered by Christians, her death impacts the decisions of the Amal and Pelagia.

## Key lines

> She had one idol, and she had lost it; one power, and it had failed her.

Pelagia felt she had lost the only person she worshipped and the only influence she had, leaving her with nothing.

_Highlights Pelagia's utter despair and loss of purpose._

> Well for me if I were dead?

Pelagia wonders if death would be better for her, as she sees no hope in life.

_Shows her suicidal thoughts and the depth of her misery._

> I can only drag you down. You must be a king. You must marry her—the wise woman!

Pelagia believes she is unworthy of the Amal and that he should marry Hypatia to achieve his ambitions.

_Reveals her self-sacrificing love and her perception of her own inferiority._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hypatia_se/chapters/xxviii-woman-s-love
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hypatia_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hypatia_se/chapters