# Scene VII explained — Plays

> Chapter companion for Plays by Roswitha of Gandersheim.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### Dulcitius

Realizes he has been made a fool of by the Christian women and vows to punish them.

### Unknown

The wife of Dulcitius, who speaks to him about his condition.

## Key lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/plays_se/chapters/scene-vii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/plays_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/plays_se/chapters