PLAUTUS

Question 1

Background on Titus Maccius Plautus

Answer 1

-wrote fabula palliata- comedies based on Greek subjects
-2 comic playwrights- Plautus (254-184 BCE) and Terentius (195-159 BCE)
-Plautus influenced by New Comedy of Menander (4 century BCE) Athens
-20 Plautus comedies survive today

Question 2

Characteristics of his comedies

Answer 2

-typical plot (prologues- introductions announced whole plot)- middle class people and slaves, forbidden loves, parents and children disagree (almost always happy ending)

-most characters have Greek names, references to Greek mythology and use of Greek words

-characters speak and act as if romans living in Rome - mention of towns in Italy, streets, magistrates, senate… largely avoiding politics

-not indifferent to social conditions, commenting on growing estrangement between rich and poor, always superficially, aiming to amuse and not to critically elaborate

-word play- alliterations, puns, slapstick, energetic scenes…

-characters- extreme personality types; lustful young and old men, tortured women and torturing wives, crafty slaves

-differences between Plautus’ Roman comedies and Greek models- no prominent role of chorus, musical accompaniment added as supplement to dialogue -> famous for lyrical monologue

-abound in good humor- occasional touches of pathos and elevated sentiment, no trace of serious purpose behind comic scenes

-provoking instant, hearty laughter
-most popular roman author
-dramatic expression of feeling
-vivacity of gesture and dialogue

Question 3

Stock characters

Answer 3

-adulescens - unmarried, late teens (twenties), pursuit of love of a prostitute or slave girl (later revealed is free-born woman eligible for marriage)- usually accompanied by clever slave

-senex- old man, often father of adulescens, opposed to sons love interests and often in love with same girl (too old for her, never gets her, scolded by wife) often miser

-leno- pimp/slave dealer, immoral and vile, acts illegally

-meretrix- prostitute dealer, businesswoman, considered to be v greedy

-miles gloriosus- arrogant soldier, gullible, cowardly, boastful

-parasitus- selfish liar, associated with miles gloriosus, concerned with own appetite

-matrona- wife, mother, obstructs husband from pursuing younger women, usually catches him with other woman and forgives him, also loves her children

-virgo- unmarried young woman, dubious parentage, love interest of adulsecens, spoken off but remains offstage