> On Wed, 18 Sep 1996, Ralph Blasting wrote:
>
> In Hrotsvitha's "Dulcitius" the three virgins peek through a crack in the
> door of the room where they are imprisoned behind the pantry to watch and
> hear Governor Dulcitius comically seduce the pots and pans and make
> himself "so filthy, that with all the soot that clings to him, he looks
> like an Ethiopian." Translated by Katharina Wilson, *The Plays of
> Hrotsvit of Gandersheim,* Garland 1989, p. 42....
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Of course. I didn't remember Hrotsvitha. Many are familiar with
the Sister Mary Marguerite Butler translations of _Dulcitius_ and
_Paphnutius_ that appear in many of John Gassner's anthologies (including
his _Medieval and Tudor Drama_). Having the sisters Agape (love), Chionia
(purity), and Irena (peace) evesdropping on the corrupt, lust-driven
governor as he fondles pots and pans in a drunken, distracted stupor gives
a light moment to this tale of martyrdom.
Teaching keeps you young -- Enthusiasm keeps your teaching young
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> > / \ ( \ /o\ / ) | (\ / | < \ / \
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Chet Pryor - English Department - Montgomery College - Maryland
