Plays · Chapter
Scene II explained
Dulcitius, captivated by the beauty of the imprisoned Christian women, plots to woo them with sweet words or torture.
What happens
Dulcitius, captivated by the beauty of the imprisoned Christian women, plots to woo them with sweet words or torture. He orders them locked in a room near the kitchen pots and pans so he can visit them frequently.
Themes in this chapter
Chastity and Virginity
The women's steadfast faith and rejection of Dulcitius's advances underscore their commitment to Christian chastity.
Martyrdom and Suffering
Dulcitius's threats of torture highlight the impending suffering the women face for their faith.
Characters to notice
- Dulcitius
The governor who becomes infatuated with the prisoners and schemes to win their affection through flattery or force.
- Agape
One of the imprisoned Christian women whose beauty captivates Dulcitius.
- Chionia
Another imprisoned Christian woman admired by Dulcitius.
- Irena
The third imprisoned Christian woman, part of the group that Dulcitius desires.
Key passages
“Ye Gods, but these girls are beautiful! What grace, what charm!”
Dulcitius exclaims over the prisoners' beauty and elegance.
Dulcitius's immediate attraction to the women sets the stage for his subsequent actions.
“Their faith is too strong.”
The soldiers warn that the women's religious conviction makes them resistant to seduction.
Highlights the central conflict between pagan authority and Christian faith.
“Lock them in the inner room—the one leading out of the passage where the pots and pans are kept.”
Dulcitius orders the women to be imprisoned in a room adjacent to the kitchen storage area.
Foreshadows the humiliating incident where Dulcitius will be befouled by the pots.