Plays · Chapter
Scene VII explained
Dulcitius, having been befouled by kitchen pots, is confronted by his wife who questions his sanity.
What happens
Dulcitius, having been befouled by kitchen pots, is confronted by his wife who questions his sanity. He realizes the Christian women have tricked him and vows to have them stripped and exposed naked in public as revenge.
Themes in this chapter
Martyrdom and Suffering
Dulcitius's threat to strip and expose the Christian women highlights the physical suffering and public shame they endure for their faith.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“My lord, my lord, what evil has come on you? Have you lost your reason, Dulcitius? Have the Christ-worshippers put a spell on you?”
Dulcitius's wife asks him what has happened and whether the Christians have enchanted him.
The wife expresses concern and suspicion about the Christians' influence.
“Now at last I know! Those artful women have made an ass of me!”
Dulcitius realizes that the Christian women have tricked and humiliated him.
Dulcitius acknowledges his humiliation and the women's cunning.
“Those impudent wenches shall be stripped and exposed naked in public. They shall have a taste of the outrage to which I have been subjected!”
Dulcitius vows to publicly strip and shame the women as revenge for his own humiliation.
Dulcitius plans a cruel punishment to retaliate against the Christian women.