XPost: soc.culture.german, alt.usage.english, alt.language.latin
On 6/21/2024 1:31 AM, Ed Cryer wrote:
HenHanna wrote:
Thank you.... my latest brush with Latin lit.... was
Asinaria by Plautus.... i read and listened
to the first 15 (?) min. of the opening scene.
Demaenetus (Athenian gentleman) is talking to his wise slave Libanus
..........
the way Libanus talks (back) doesn't suggest that he's a slave or
servile at ALL!!! --- which is a bit odd.
Plautus wrote comedies.
Slaves are wiser than their masters, talk back easily.
Sons are chasing prostitutes.
Husbands chase other women.
Brothers meet up with long-lost brothers who were sold or enslaved.
It all reflects the late Hellenistic world of Europe.
Ed
wow!
Jeeves, Benson... the wise Fools from Shakespeare.
>>> Absolutely! Roman comedies, particularly those by
Plautus, are famous for featuring "servus callidus," which translates to "clever slave."
These characters are a major source of inspiration for Jeeves and
Benson. Here are some prominent examples:
Plautus: Playwright Plautus (2nd century BCE) is a key figure in
Roman comedy. Many of his plays feature a "servus callidus" who outwits
their masters and other characters. Some famous examples include:
Pseudolus: The titular character, Pseudolus, is a cunning slave who devises elaborate schemes to help his young master get money.
Tranio: In "Mostellaria," Tranio hatches a plan to hide his
master's son's spending habits from his father.
Palaestrio: This slave from "Miles Gloriosus" outwits a boastful
soldier to help a young woman escape.
Stock Character: The "clever slave" became a stock character in
Roman comedy. These characters were often witty, resourceful, and more intelligent than their masters. They used their cunning to solve
problems, often caused by their masters' foolishness.
_______________________
Libanus' role in the play:
Demaenetus' Slave: Libanus serves Demaenetus, the play's central
character.
Facilitator: Demaenetus, aware of his son's affair with a
prostitute, tasks Libanus with finding money to fund the escapades.
Libanus plays a crucial role in devising schemes to get the money.
Cunning Collaborator: Libanus works alongside another slave, Leonida, to
trick a stranger into handing over money owed for some donkeys. This
showcases their cleverness.
________________________
The Comedy of Asses: A Summary
Plautus' "Asinaria" (The Comedy of Asses) is a hilarious
play filled with mistaken identities, witty slaves, and chaotic antics.
Here's a breakdown of the plot:
The Players:
Demaenetus: A middle-aged Athenian gentleman, secretly supportive of his
son's desires.
Argyrippus: Demaenetus' son, in love with Philaenium, a prostitute
next door.
Philaenium: The beautiful object of Argyrippus' affection, but
controlled by her ruthless mother.
Cleareta: Philaenium's mother, a greedy procuress (brothel owner)
who prioritizes profit.
Libanus and Leonida: Demaenetus' clever slaves, key players in
securing funds for Argyrippus.
Saurea:
Demaenetus' wife's steward, unknowingly involved
in the money scheme.
Pyrrhia:
Demaenetus' formidable wife, unaware of the secret dealings.
The Plot Thickens:
Argyrippus desperately needs money to secure exclusive access to
Philaenium for a year.
Demaenetus, surprisingly understanding, seeks Libanus' help to raise the
funds.
Libanus and Leonida concoct a plan: they impersonate Saurea and
trick a stranger who owes money for donkeys (asini in Latin, hence the
title) into paying them.
The money is used to secure Philaenium, but complications arise.
Cleareta attempts to double-book Philaenium with another man, leading to hilarious chaos.
Demaenetus, unexpectedly, wants a night with Philaenium himself,
creating a love triangle.
Libanus and Leonida devise further schemes to appease everyone and
maintain the charade.
The Resolution (with a Twist):
Through a series of misunderstandings and frantic maneuvering, the
slaves manage to keep everyone (mostly) happy.
Demaenetus backs down from his Philaenium request, prioritizing his
marriage.
Argyrippus secures his year with Philaenium.
The play ends with a sense of restored order, albeit a slightly
precarious one.
-------- sounds as good as Shakespeares's best comedies!
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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