Plays · Chapter
Scene V explained
Constance meets the daughters of Gallicanus, Artemia and Attica, and prays to Christ for Gallicanus to be turned from his unlawful purpose.
What happens
Constance meets the daughters of Gallicanus, Artemia and Attica, and prays to Christ for Gallicanus to be turned from his unlawful purpose. She exhorts the sisters to virginity and faith, and they respond with devotion. Constance then sends for John and Paul.
Themes in this chapter
Chastity and Virginity
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.
Christian vs. Pagan Conflict
Artemia acknowledges her former idolatry and credits divine light for her faith, while Constance hopes for Gallicanus's conversion from paganism.
Divine Intervention and Miracles
Constance implores Christ to intervene and turn Gallicanus from his unlawful purpose, trusting in divine grace to change hearts.
Characters to notice
- Constance
Constance prays to Christ for Gallicanus's conversion and welcomes Gallicanus's daughters, encouraging them in their vow of purity.
- Artemia
Artemia, daughter of Gallicanus, greets Constance with homage and expresses eagerness to serve and keep her vow of purity.
- Gallicanus
Gallicanus is mentioned as the father of Artemia and Attica, and Constance prays for his conversion.
- Paul
Paul is summoned by Constance at the end of the scene.
- John
John is summoned by Constance at the end of the scene.
Key passages
“O Christ, lover of virginity and fount of chastity! Thou Who through the intercession of Thy holy martyr Agnes hast preserved my body from stain and my mind from pagan errors!”
Constance prays to Christ, who loves virginity and is the source of chastity, thanking Him for keeping her body pure and her mind free from pagan beliefs through the intercession of Saint Agnes.
Constance's prayer emphasizes her devotion to virginity and her gratitude for protection from paganism.
“May Gallicanus, who seeks to gain the love which I can give only to Thee, be turned from his unlawful purpose.”
Constance asks that Gallicanus, who desires a love she reserves only for God, be redirected from his improper intentions.
This highlights the conflict between earthly marriage and spiritual devotion.
“We have one Lord Who is in heaven. He alone should be served like that. We owe Him a love and fidelity which must be shown not only with whole hearts but with whole bodies.”
Constance tells Artemia that only God in heaven deserves such service, and that love and faithfulness to Him must be demonstrated with both heart and body.
Constance instructs Artemia on the proper object of devotion, linking spiritual fidelity to bodily purity.