Plays · Chapter
Scene III explained
Gallicanus rejects all worldly advice and declares his intention to retire to Alexandria for the sake of Christ, hoping to achieve martyrdom.
What happens
Gallicanus rejects all worldly advice and declares his intention to retire to Alexandria for the sake of Christ, hoping to achieve martyrdom.
Themes in this chapter
Martyrdom and Suffering
Gallicanus explicitly expresses his hope to win the martyr's crown, emphasizing the theme of suffering for faith.
The War Between Flesh and Spirit
Gallicanus rejects worldly advice and material concerns, prioritizing eternal life over temporal existence.
Characters to notice
- Gallicanus
Gallicanus dismisses his companions' counsel, valuing eternal life above all earthly things, and resolves to go to Alexandria to seek martyrdom.
Key passages
“Do not waste your breath, fellows. Your advice is useless. I hold all that exists beneath the sun as nothing compared with eternal life. Banished for Christ’s sake, I shall retire to Alexandria, where I hope to win the martyr’s crown.”
Gallicanus tells his companions to stop advising him, as he considers everything in the world worthless next to eternal life. He will go to Alexandria in exile for Christ, aiming to achieve martyrdom.
This speech encapsulates Gallicanus's complete rejection of worldly concerns and his embrace of martyrdom.