Abbess Character Analysis

The abbess is the head nun at the new convent established in Barabas’s mansion. When Barabas convinces Abigail to join the nunnery under false pretenses, she appeals to the abbess. Ithamore and Barabas repeatedly accuse the abbess of having sexual relationships with the parish priests, and she is dies, along with Abigail and the rest of the nuns, when Barabas sends the convent a batch of poisoned rice as alms. Like Friars Bernardine and Jacomo, the abbess serves to reflect religious hypocrisy. Her role as a nun implies that she is pious and chaste, but her suspected sex life suggests her righteousness is just a farce.