Maddy Kirkwood
June 27th, 2022
Essay 1
Novel and Spirituality
The essay should focus on the foundational four elements of the tradition of the novel as they are expressed in Rhodanthe and Dosikles, and on related symbolic meanings of the book as reflecting the “four ways of biblical reading” as developed in early Mediterranean Christian literature.
The rusty iron chain scratched at his neck and he felt lower than he ever had before, the only respite was the woman standing in from of him. Dosikles glanced up, the most magnificent maiden was glowing before him, she pierced him with her dark eyes and gave him a reassuring look. He didn’t know what was to happen to them, but he knew that he would do whatever it took to bring his love to safety and as far away as possible from these barbarians. Theodore Prodromos’ Rhodanthe and Dosikles transports us to an event of turmoil in the ancient city of Abydos and into the tale of two young people who undergo hardship and enslavement, and yet, are determined to stay committed to one another through it all. Rhodanthe and Dosikles fits the theme of an overlay landscape because Prodromos uses the elements of real places in his novel whilst introducing components of paganism which suspends the reader’s disbelief, this falls in line with the element of an overlay landscape which is one of the four elements of a traditional novel, which helps the reader engage their imagination and be transported to new worlds.
Dosikles is taken aback by Rhodanthe’s beauty and describes her essence as a likeness to the goddess Artemis. Prodromos introduces elements of paganism in his novel through his characters’ belief systems, providing him the platform to structure an overlay landscape in his novel. One example of this comes from Glaukon’s reaction to Dosikle’s tale in section two, “Father Zeus,’ he said, ‘and senate of the gods, may you steer these young people and grant an auspicious conclusion to their passion” (51). The reader knows that this novel is imaginary, however, Prodromos understands that the people reading his novel at the time of its conception may follow Hellenic traditions, therefore, the character’s faith in these pagan gods will be convincing to the readers of the time. This can also be used as further evidence of morality in Prodromos’ characters. Glaukon is showing the reader his pious nature by praying to Zeus over Dosikles and Rhodanthe’s journey, therefore, conforming to the theme of morality found in the “four ways of reading” developed from biblical studies.
In chapter three, Dosikles leads Rhodanthe away from Glaukon and the others, for they have not had a moment alone since their kidnapping, and kisses her. “‘Hold back now and know me from kisses alone,’ she replied to me / Hermes himself / stood by me at night in a vision in my sleep, “The marriage of Rhodanthe and Dosikles,” he said, “will be sealed in Abydos itself, ” (53). Rhodanthe is a character that holds much transfigurative virtue. She specifically holds the virtues of faith piety, for she wishes to be married to Dosikles before they have any sexual relations because Hermes has told her that they will be married in Abydos, and she has faith in Hermes’ word that they will make it back home to officially form their union under the eyes of the gods. This section of the novel is also an example of how to read a text spiritually because it is an illustration of how a cosmic message from a pagan god has affected the character’s choices, and therefore the storyline as a whole.
Rhodanthe and Dosikles are completely committed to each other even before they are officially married. In this novel marriage is a symbol of an individual’s relationship to another individual and to the greater context in life beyond themselves and ultimately to a higher power, in the case of Rhodanthe and Dosikles, this would be the Hellenistic pagan gods. Rhodanthe and Dosikles addresses the theme of the cosmic symbolism of marriage and it is a crucial part of the storyline, especially for the two main characters, who call each other husband and wife even before they are formally married. An example of this can be found in chapter three when Dosikles addresses Rhodanthe, “O my fellow captive, my fellow prisoner, O Dosikles’ wife in name,” (63). Furthermore, this is also an example of how to read a story allegorically. The act of marriage is full of symbolism. Marriage marks the crucial union between two people because their union allows them to create and nurture new life into this world. Marriage can additionally be a symbol of rebirth because the couple will create a new chapter in their lives as spouses. Rhodanthe and Dosikles understand that in a romantic partnership, commitment and faith in one another are essential, therefore, they make it clear that they take their relationship seriously as if they were already married.
Rhodanthe wants it to be known to Dosikles that she will remain pure for him no matter the circumstances involving Gobryas and his plans to marry her. “May I be kept pure and preserved either for you or for the sword, but not for Gobryas” (66). Rhodanthe declaring that she will be kept pure for her symbolic husband Dosikles is an example of relational identity in this novel. Rhodanthe and Dosikles’ identities are so intrinsically linked that their individuality is now formed relationally with one another. These characters seem to be deeply woven together even upon the first introduction of them. This is a literal interpretation of the text because the reader can identify many moments in the novel in which Rhodanthe and Dosikles pine for one another and for their future.
“Save me,” she said, “from the brutish barbarian, save, Dosikles, your dear maiden, rescue me from the robberly brute. You have destroyed me; make haste, indeed I am ruined.” So sleep, which had settled tardily and with difficulty upon Dosikles’ eyes, was thrust aside by the maiden’s cry and flew away and moved off at great speed” (59). This section of chapter three shows Rhodanthe pleading for Dosikles to save her from the sexual advances of Gobryas. The tone of Rhodanthe’s voice is desperate and scared, she immediately runs to Dosikles for help whilst also claiming that Dosikles has destroyed her, therefore he is obligated to assist her. This section of the novel is an ironic representative of the overall plot because it mirrors almost exactly what Dosikles was trying to do to Rhodanthe at the beginning of the story, only this time it is another man who is trying to claim and kidnap Rhodanthe as his own. Rhodanthe proclaims that Dosikles has destroyed her, which could be interpreted as him having destroyed her individual identity because now she cannot separate herself from him and his identity, alternatively it could be interpreted as Dosikles having destroyed Rhodanthe’s life from the moment he kidnapped her, therefore, he is indebted to save her from any harm.
When Dosikles chose to kidnap Rhodanthe he altered the course of both of their lives and is now honor-bound to his partner forever. This can show the reader how marriage, or the union two people choose to have with each other, is the foremost symbol of commitment. Perhaps Prodromos is using Rhodanthe and Dosikles as examples of how life-changing and meaningful committing to someone in the act of marriage truly is, and that it is something that should not be taken lightly.