# Prefaces of Roswitha explained — Plays

> Chapter companion for Plays by Roswitha of Gandersheim.

## What happens

Roswitha introduces her collection of plays, explaining her purpose and method in writing Christian dramas to replace the pagan works of Terence, and she dedicates her work to her abbess, Gerberg, while acknowledging the support of other patrons.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Agency and Virtue

Roswitha asserts her own agency as a female writer, using her plays to celebrate virtuous women and counter pagan narratives.

### Christian vs. Pagan Conflict

The prefaces explicitly frame Roswitha's work as a Christian alternative to the pagan plays of Terence, highlighting the tension between Christian and classical traditions.

## Character check-ins

### Roswitha

Author and narrator of the prefaces, explaining her motivations and dedicating her work.

### Gerberg

Illustrious Abbess to whom Roswitha dedicates her plays.

### Terence

Pagan playwright whose works Roswitha seeks to replace with Christian dramas.

## Key lines

> I, the strong voice of Gandersheim, have not hesitated to imitate in my writings the compositions of Terence, which are read by many, while I also celebrate the praiseworthy chastity of holy virgins in the same form of composition which is used to describe the shameful acts of lascivious women.

Roswitha states that she has dared to imitate Terence's style in her own works, but instead of depicting immoral behavior, she uses the same dramatic form to honor the virtue of chaste Christian women.

_This passage encapsulates Roswitha's central mission: to repurpose classical dramatic forms for Christian moral instruction._

> To the most illustrious and most learned Abbess Gerberg, Roswitha sends the tribute of her humble devotion.

Roswitha dedicates her work to Abbess Gerberg, expressing her humble respect and loyalty.

_The dedication establishes the hierarchical and spiritual context of Roswitha's literary production._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/plays_se/chapters/prefaces-of-roswitha
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/plays_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/plays_se/chapters