XPost: soc.culture.german, alt.usage.english, alt.language.latin   
   From: HenHanna@devnull.tb   
      
   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   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)