Hrotsvit’s Dulcitius and the effect of the printing press on various forms of publications, discussed by Kovarik, both highlight the struggle of promoting or believing in an idea that conflicts with the dominant notion of the time. The religious persecution faced by the three female characters in the play mirrors the censorship of the press that writers during the middle ages and beyond had to deal with.

Much like the object of many newspapers is not to simply convey completely unbiased, objective information to its readers, Hrotsvit is trying to “promote images of female virtue and chastity” though her play ( Norton 215). Hrotsvit was very comfortable with advanced Latin rhetorical structures, including stichomythia. This practice of using alternating lines of a dialogue to dramatize a dispute can be seen multiple times throughout the play (Norton 216). A notable example is the conversation between Dulcitius and the Soldiers when discussing the three captured virgins (Hrotsvit 219).

Soldiers- Yes, they are perfectly lovely.

Dulcitius- I am captivated by their beauty.

Soldiers- That is understandable.

Dulcitius- To draw them to my heart, I am eager.

Soldiers- Your success will be meager.

Dulcitius- Why?

Soldiers- Because they are firm in faith.

Dulcitius- What if I sway them by flattery?

Soldiers- They will despise it utterly.

This exchange highlights the virgins’ steadfast belief in chastity and virtue that Hrotsvit is trying to convey. Diocletian wants to have the three virgins married to prominent men of his court. Agape speaks for all of them by replying that they should not bother planning any weddings because they “cannot be compelled under any duress to betray Christ’s holy name, which we must confess, nor to stain our virginity” (Hrotsvit 218). Dulcitius still believes that he will be able to satisfy himself “in their longed-for embrace” (Hrotsvit 219). Dulcitius mistakenly embraces the pots and the pans for the three virgins, and covers himself soot. While the three virgins look upon Dulcitius and his soot covered face, Agape observes, “it is only right that he should appear in body the way he is in his mind: possessed by the Devil” (Hrotsvit 220). Dulcitius’s new appearance renders him unrecognizable to his soldiers and guards. His wife and Diocletian recognize the humiliation these Christians have caused him and Diocletian orders Sissinus to kill them. The lack of bodily harm to Agape and Chionia despite their death from being burned alive, and Hirena’s strength in the face of her impending death are how Hrotsvit shows the power of faith and that those who remain strong in their beliefs will be protected. Hrotsvit is showing that even though Agape, Chionia, and Hirena may have suffered on earth they, in fact, are the ones who will experience salvation.

One of the aspects of this play that I thought was interesting was that it delivers the same effect of some of the longer plays we have read in fewer pages. Every scene is very important and after each scene the play seamlessly shifts ahead to another important scene. Similar to Mr. Burns where Anne Washburn is trying to show the effect of a nuclear apocalypse on a play about the Simpsons, Hrotsvit is trying to show the effect of the power of faith and virtue on three women in the face of torture and death. Both authors, especially Hrotsvit, are first and foremost concerned with getting their messages across.

Similar to the persecution faced by the three Christian virgins in Dulcitius, early printers and writers who spread controversial ideas were persecuted and censored by the government and ironically, the Catholic church. The printing press was one of the most important inventions of our time because it provided us with the ability to connect to each other in a much faster way. Printing was very dangerous to the church because as bibles were translated to languages other than Latin, lay people could read and interpret the bible themselves (Kovarik 21). Reformers, most notably Martin Luther, known for his 95 Theses, could get their ideas out to the public like never before. The newfound ability to spread accessible information to a large group of people at a low cost, threatened the power the church had as the all knowing presence in a world of uninformed people.The religious reformation was spread rapidly across Europe thanks to the press. There was a counter reformation levied by the Catholic Church, in which people were “executed simply for owning the wrong version of the bible” (Kovarik 22). Since the church saw the clear connection between books and other forms of media and the spread of anti-Catholic ideas, the church along with the state had to approve all publications in Catholic countries (Kovarik 29). The church wanted to limit the influence of books and later, newspapers, on Catholics, much like the Romans wanted to limit the influence of Christianity on Roman citizens. Early Christians, such as the three virgins from the play were punished for not conforming to the beliefs of the Romans, and early American colonists who critiqued the government were imprisoned and publications such as Publick Occurrences were shut down (Kovarik 32). The printing press helped give a voice to the oppressed and outnumbered. Just as the three Christian virgins stood strong in their beliefs in the face of the mighty Romans, American colonists spread their ideas and sentiments in the face of a harsh government. Hrotsvit showed that those who remain unwavering in faith were awarded, and Kovarik showed that those who used the power of the written word to spread the ideas they believed in, were eventually awarded as well.

Who are the two figures with Hirena at the end of the play? Who or what do they represent?

How is social media and the internet revolutionizing the way information is spread around the world?

Thinking back to the time when we tried to update The Importance of Being Earnest to appeal to today’s audiences, how could we do the same with Dulcitius?

Brian Pushie

Much like Mr. Burns reflects the changing culture surrounding the different time periods in which the play takes place, The Importance of Being Earnest and the Zarrilli reading both show how theatre can reflect the cultural values of the people it portrays and the effect it can have on its audience.
In The Importance of Being Earnest, Oscar Wilde examines the British upper class through a comedic lens. Wilde shows how the Victorian upper class often treats trivial things with seriousness and serious things with triviality (Gainor, pg. 772). Lady Bracknell suggests that “education produces no effect whatsoever,” then later is disappointed to hear that Jack lives in a very nice neighborhood, but “on the unfashionable side” (Wilde, pg. 784-785). This exchange is an example of how the priorities of upper class citizens can be seen as out of place. The source of a lot of confusion for the characters in the play is the character “Ernest.” Ernest is Jack’s alter ego that he uses when he is in London, and it is the name Gwendolen, Algernon, and Lady Bracknell know him by. Cecily and Miss Prism know him by Jack, and to their knowledge Ernest is his reckless brother living in London. Algernon, upon learning that Ernest is not real, shows up to Jack’s country house as Jack’s brother Ernest and becomes engaged to Cecily. To Algernon’s surprise he and Cecily have been engaged for months. Cecily has written herself letters as Ernest before actually meeting Ernest. Cecily pities “any poor married woman whose husband is not called Ernest” (Wilde, pg. 800). Gwendolen’s “ideal has always been to love some one of the name of Ernest” (Wilde, pg. 782). Names like Algernon and Jack simply will not do. These women are so in love with the name Ernest, that, at one point, the reader could reasonably question whether they have any affection towards the actual men they are engaged to. It is of course no mistake that “Ernest” and “Earnest” are pronounced the same way, with the former being the name used in the play to deceive people and the latter meaning to be serious and sincere. A similarity between Mr. Burns and The Importance of Being Earnest is the characters emphasis on remembering the past. Jack is elated is delighted to discover his real name is in fact Ernest, and that Algernon is his younger brother. The characters in Mr. Burns try and see if they can remember lines from The Simpsons, what certain wines taste like, and where they can find a diet coke. The importance in knowing where you came from and having a solid memory of the past is common regardless of the time period or the place.
Theatre can have a large effect on its audience. Zarrilli discusses writers such as Schiller who dreamt “of a theatre that would be a voice of German culture and a force in shaping it” (Zarrilli, pg. 287). While Schiller’s dream “was never realizable,” the attempt made by Schiller to use a form of entertainment as a possible means to enact social change says a lot about the power behind theatre (Zarrilli, pg. 291). While Schiller tried to use his theatre productions to “refine and educate their audiences,” Wilde seems to be doing nothing of the sort in The Importance of Being Earnest (Zarrilli pg. 289). Wilde was a “clever critic” who “subverted the hierarchal values that structured” the Victorian upper class (Gainor, pg. 772). Wilde may not have been trying to accomplish the noble task of bettering his audience, but every play is written for a reason.

What are some similarities between the ways in which Schiller used the theatre, and people today use social media, to try and enact social change?
The Importance of Being Earnest highlighted some flaws in the thinking and values of the Victorian upper class. Do we see our flaws as Americans in satirical shows like South Park and Family Guy?
Can we see any similarities between our culture today and late 19th century British culture?

-Brian Pushie