The Plays of Roswitha: Play Guide and Free Edition
The Plays of Roswitha: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Plays of Roswitha is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Hrotsvitha. The listed translation credits are St. John, Christopher (Christopher Marie) (?–1960).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Plays of Roswitha" by Hrotsvitha is a collection of notable dramas written in the 10th century. These plays mark a significant historical contribution as they are accredited to a female author, a Benedictine nun from Gandersheim, who wrote in Latin. The works within this collection explore themes of faith, virtue, and integrity through the depiction of characters facing moral quandaries, with a focus on the experiences of strong women like Constance and the holy maidens Agape, Chionia, and Irena. The opening of this collection provides crucial context for understanding Roswitha's significance as a playwright and poet in a male-dominated literary landscape. It begins with a Translator's Note, followed by a rich introduction that highlights her remarkable position as an early female author and her contributions to both literature and monastic life. The introduction also outlines the content of the six plays included, such as the stories of Gallicanus, Dulcitius, and the virgin martyrs, which illustrate the conflict between paganism and emerging Christianity, showcasing the moral strength and decision-making of women in the face of societal pressures. Overall, the beginning invites readers to appreciate Roswitha's pioneering role in medieval literature and the enduring power of her narratives.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Plays of Roswitha
- Author credits: Hrotsvitha
- Catalogue language: English
- Translator credits: St. John, Christopher (Christopher Marie) (?–1960)
Catalogue subjects
- Christian drama, Latin (Medieval and modern) -- Translations into English
- Hrotsvitha, approximately 935-approximately 975 -- Translations into English
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Classics of Literature
- Category: German Literature
- Category: History - Medieval/Middle Ages
- Category: Plays/Films/Dramas
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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