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    Hypatia of Alexandria: A Play in Four Acts
    Hypatia of Alexandria: A Play in Four Acts
    Hypatia of Alexandria: A Play in Four Acts
    Ebook107 pages48 minutes

    Hypatia of Alexandria: A Play in Four Acts

    By Laurel A. Rockefeller

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    About this ebook

    Alexandria Burns!

    Born in 355 CE in the aftermath of Constantine's reign, Hypatia of Alexandria lived in a collapsing Roman Empire, a world where obedience to religious authorities trumped science, where reason and logic threatened the new world order. It was a world on the edge of the Dark Ages, a world deciding the question of science verses religion, freedom verses orthodoxy, tolerance verses hate.

    For over 40 years Hypatia stood between the dark ages and the light of classical philosophy, arts, and sciences. Though none of her books survived the aggressive book burnings of religious zealots, her legacy remains that of one of the greatest scientists of all time. This is her fascinating true story.

    Features Hanukkah prayers in Hebrew, challenging special effects, and ensemble casting. Perfect for educational settings and community theater.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLaurel A. Rockefeller
    Release dateMay 9, 2023
    ISBN9798215517284
    Hypatia of Alexandria: A Play in Four Acts
    Author

    Laurel A. Rockefeller

    Born, raised, and educated in Lincoln, Nebraska USA Laurel A. Rockefeller’s passion for animals comes through in everything she writes. First self-published in 2012 as social science fiction author (the Peers of Beinan series), Laurel has expanded her work into the animal care/guide, history, historical fiction, and biography genres.Find Laurel’s books in digital, paperback, and hardcover in your choice of up to ten languages, including Welsh, Chinese, and Dutch. Audio editions are published in all four available languages for audible: English, French, Spanish, and German.Besides advocating for animals and related environmental causes, Laurel A. Rockefeller is a passionate educator dedicated to improving history literacy worldwide, especially as it relates to women’s accomplishments. In her spare time, Laurel enjoys spending time with her cockatiels, travelling to historic places, and watching classic motion pictures and classic television series.

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      Book preview

      Hypatia of Alexandria - Laurel A. Rockefeller

      Prologue

      1140. Kloster Disibodenberg, Germany. Scriptorium HILDEGARD works at her desk stage right. MONK stands downstage left, his arms full of heavy books which he places on a nearby table and watches over. NOVICE ENTERS and bows before Hildegard.

      NOVICE

      Magistra, the books you wished to borrow have arrived!

      HILDEGARD

      Excellent. Did the brother specify how long I may borrow them?

      NOVICE

      No, Magistra.

      HILDEGARD

      (walking towards door at center stage left)

      Well then I will have to ask him myself before he departs.

      NOVICE

      (following Hildegard)

      May I ask—what is so important about these particular books?

      HILDEGARD

      They are the writings of ancient Greek mathematicians and astronomers. Wisdom of the ancient world, a world that was very different from the one we live in today.

      NOVICE

      But such knowledge is forbidden!

      HILDEGARD

      (reaching the door and opening it)

      Yes, it is.

      NOVICE

      Then why risk it?

      HILDEGARD

      God speaks to many people—not only to Christians. If there is something of value to be learned then I wish to learn it, no matter who God teaches it to.

      (to Monk)

      Thank you for bringing these, Brother. How long will your master permit me to review them?

      MONK

      (handing one of the books to Hildegard)

      Two months, though he said he would consider longer if the need should arise. He said you would be particularly interested in this one.

      HILDEGARD

      ’Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers’ by Socrates of Constantinople?

      MONK

      (flipping to the middle of the book)

      Yes. Take a look here!

      HILDEGARD

      (reading aloud)

      ’Of Hypatia the Female Philosopher. There was a woman at Alexandria named Hypatia, daughter of the philosopher Theon, who made such attainments in literature and science, as to far surpass all the philosophers of her own time.’ Intriguing! Do many know of this Hypatia?

      MONK

      No, Magistra.

      HILDEGARD

      Because she was a woman?

      MONK

      I think perhaps the answer will become clear with further reading.

      HILDEGARD

      Agreed!

      (END OF SCENE)

      Act I: Discovering Science

      Act I, Scene I

      360 CE. House of Theon of Alexandria. HYPATIA is working at spinning with a drop spindle. IOLA watches her carefully.

      HYPATIA

      (throwing her drop spindle)

      It’s hopeless!

      (Iola picks up the spindle from the floor)

      I can’t do it!

      IOLA

      My lady you are only five years old! Do you really expect yourself to spin as if you were a woman grown with children of her own?

      HYPATIA

      Every time I try to draw the wool out it falls apart. When I try to mend the two ends together, it falls apart more.

      IOLA

      (demonstrating how to spin properly)

      You can do it, I know you can. Here, watch, see how I overlap the two ends and hold both together between my fingers? Now hold that tight while winding the spindle tight and slipping it here into the notch and there into the small hook. Do you see?

      HYPATIA

      Yes.

      IOLA

      Okay now watch as I twirl the shaft. The wool between my fingers is now tight and bound together. What I do next is slowing move my hand towards the part that is not twisted at all, not very far, just an inch at first, very slowly. See? Now here I’m going to wind the spindle so that the part we just put together is between the hook and the shaft. As long as this is tight, the yarn will not come apart and I can slowly start to draw it out again. See? It’s not hopeless. You can do it if you practice.

      Hypatia takes backs the spindle and tries to spin. The spindle flies from her hands. THEON ENTERS from stage right.

      HYPATIA

      I told you! I’m hopeless!

      THEON

      Hopeless at what?

      HYPATIA

      Spinning! Patéras, I can’t do it! I’m no good at women’s work. I can’t spin. I can’t embroider. I can’t sew. I can’t cook! No one will ever want to marry me, at least not for my own sake!

      THEON

      With a good match you won’t have to. Slaves will do

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