⚡️Greek and Roman Comedy Unit 10 – Terence: Master of Comedy of Manners

Who Was Terence?

• Roman playwright born in Carthage, North Africa around 195 BCE
• Brought to Rome as a slave and educated in the household of senator Terentius Lucanus
• Freed by his master and took the name Publius Terentius Afer (Terence)
• Became a member of the Scipionic Circle, a group of intellectuals and writers
• Wrote six comedies between 166 and 160 BCE
• Died young, possibly during a voyage to Greece around 159 BCE
• Known for his elegant style, complex characters, and social commentary

Historical Context

• Terence lived during the mid-2nd century BCE, a period of rapid Roman expansion
• Rome had recently defeated Carthage in the Second Punic War (218-201 BCE)
• Greek culture and literature heavily influenced Roman society
• Terence's plays were adapted from Greek New Comedy, particularly the works of Menander
• Roman theater was a popular form of entertainment, with performances held during religious festivals
  • Plays were performed in temporary wooden theaters until the first stone theater was built in 55 BCE
• Terence's works reflect the social and moral concerns of his time

Terence's Literary Style

• Known for his refined, elegant Latin and attention to language
• Adapted Greek New Comedy plots and characters to suit Roman tastes
• Emphasized character development and psychological realism
  • Characters often faced moral dilemmas and inner conflicts
• Used double plots, interweaving two storylines within a single play
• Employed witty dialogue, puns, and wordplay
• Included social commentary and critiques of contemporary Roman society
• Avoided slapstick humor and vulgar jokes, favoring more sophisticated comedy

Key Works and Plots

• Andria (The Girl from Andros, 166 BCE): A young man falls in love with a foreign girl, leading to a series of misunderstandings and a happy resolution
• Hecyra (The Mother-in-Law, 165 BCE): A newlywed couple faces challenges due to meddling family members and a secret from the bride's past
• Heauton Timorumenos (The Self-Tormentor, 163 BCE): A father's strict treatment of his son leads to a series of misunderstandings and a reconciliation
• Eunuchus (The Eunuch, 161 BCE): A young man disguises himself as a eunuch to gain access to the girl he loves, resulting in a series of comical situations
• Phormio (161 BCE): A clever parasite helps a young man marry his beloved, despite opposition from the man's father
• Adelphoe (The Brothers, 160 BCE): Two brothers with contrasting parenting styles deal with their sons' romantic entanglements and personal growth

Characters and Themes

• Terence's plays feature stock characters from Greek New Comedy:
  • The young lover, the clever slave, the stern father, the courtesan, and the parasite
• Characters are more complex and psychologically realistic than in earlier Roman comedy
• Themes include:
  • Love and relationships
  • Family dynamics and conflicts
  • Social class and status
  • The role of education and moral development
  • The clash between traditional values and individual desires
• Terence often portrays characters sympathetically, even when they make mistakes or have flaws
• Explores the human condition and the complexities of social interactions

Comedy of Manners Explained

• A genre that satirizes the manners and affectations of a social class or society
• Focuses on the behavior, language, and customs of a particular group
• Often set in contemporary times and deals with current social issues
• Humor arises from the exposure of characters' flaws, pretensions, and deviations from social norms
• Dialogue is witty, clever, and often filled with double entendres and wordplay
• Plot typically revolves around love, courtship, and marriage among the upper classes
• Terence's plays are early examples of the comedy of manners genre
  • He satirizes the foibles and hypocrisies of Roman society
  • His characters navigate complex social situations and expectations

Terence's Influence on Later Comedy

• Terence's works were widely admired and studied in ancient Rome and throughout the Middle Ages
• His plays influenced the development of European comedy, particularly during the Renaissance
  • Italian playwrights such as Ariosto and Machiavelli drew inspiration from Terence
  • Shakespeare and Molière adapted elements of Terentian comedy in their works
• Terence's emphasis on character development and social commentary set the stage for later comedies of manners
• His refined style and clever dialogue became a model for witty, sophisticated comedy
• Terence's works continue to be performed and adapted in modern times

Critical Reception and Legacy

• Terence was highly regarded in his own time for his literary skill and innovation
• Ancient critics praised his elegant language, complex characters, and moral insights
  • Cicero called him "a most elegant and refined playwright"
  • Quintilian lauded his "exceptional grace" and "charm"
• Some ancient critics, such as Luscius Lanuvinus, accused Terence of contaminating Greek originals by combining elements from different plays
• Terence defended his approach in prologues to his plays, arguing for artistic freedom and originality
• His works became part of the standard Latin curriculum in the Middle Ages and Renaissance
• Modern scholars appreciate Terence's psychological depth, social commentary, and influence on later literature
• Terence's legacy lies in his enduring impact on the development of comedy and his insights into human nature and society