# Scene II explained — Plays

> Chapter companion for Plays by Roswitha of Gandersheim.

## What happens

Emperor Constantine reveals to his daughter Constance that General Gallicanus wishes to marry her. Constance, having consecrated herself to God, refuses and proposes a plan to delay the marriage by pretending to agree after the war, using Gallicanus's daughters as pledges and sending her almoners John and Paul with him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Chastity and Virginity

Constance's unwavering commitment to her vow of chastity drives the plot and her strategic deception.

### Female Agency and Virtue

Constance actively devises a plan to preserve her virtue, demonstrating agency within patriarchal constraints.

### Divine Intervention and Miracles

Constance expresses trust in God's help and prays for a change in Gallicanus's heart, invoking divine aid.

## Character check-ins

### Constance

Constance reaffirms her vow of chastity and proposes a strategic delay to avoid marrying Gallicanus.

### Constantine

Emperor Constantine is distressed by Gallicanus's demand to marry Constance and is relieved by her plan.

### Gallicanus

Gallicanus is mentioned as the general who seeks to marry Constance, prompting the conflict.

### John

John is one of Constance's almoners whom she proposes to send with Gallicanus on his expedition.

### Paul

Paul is the other almoner Constance plans to send with Gallicanus as part of her scheme.

## Key lines

> I would rather die.

Constance declares she would prefer death to marrying Gallicanus.

_This line emphasizes her absolute dedication to her religious vow._

> You must pretend that you are willing to grant Gallicanus what he asks when the war has been won.

Constance advises her father to feign agreement to the marriage after the war.

_This shows Constance's strategic thinking to buy time and avoid direct confrontation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/plays_se/chapters/part-i-scene-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/plays_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/plays_se/chapters