10.4 Analysis of major Terentian plays (e.g., "The Brothers," "The Eunuch")

Terence's plays, like "The Brothers" and "The Eunuch," tackle complex themes of family, love, and social norms. His works blend witty dialogue, clever plot twists, and relatable characters to explore the intricacies of Roman society and human relationships.

Terence's comedies offer insightful social commentary, challenging traditional values and promoting empathy. Through his dramatic techniques and nuanced portrayals of gender and class, Terence creates engaging stories that entertain while provoking thought on societal issues.

Terence's Major Plays

Plots and themes of Terence's plays

Top images from around the web for Plots and themes of Terence's plays

• 

  Updating Ancient Roman Comedy for the 21st Century | The Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Updating Ancient Roman Comedy for the 21st Century | Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Updating Ancient Roman Comedy for the 21st Century | The Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Updating Ancient Roman Comedy for the 21st Century | Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

Top images from around the web for Plots and themes of Terence's plays

• 

  Updating Ancient Roman Comedy for the 21st Century | The Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Updating Ancient Roman Comedy for the 21st Century | Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Updating Ancient Roman Comedy for the 21st Century | The Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Updating Ancient Roman Comedy for the 21st Century | Getty Iris View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 2

• "The Brothers" (Adelphoe)
  • Plot revolves around two brothers, Demea and Micio, who raise their sons with contrasting parenting styles
    • Demea takes a strict and traditional approach, while Micio is more lenient and permissive
    • The sons, Ctesipho and Aeschinus, encounter various challenges and misunderstandings throughout the play
    • Explores the consequences of different parenting approaches and their impact on the children
  • Features a cast of characters including Demea, Micio, Ctesipho, Aeschinus, Sostrata, and Hegio
  • Delves into themes of parenting, family relationships, the nature vs. nurture debate, and the power of forgiveness
• "The Eunuch" (Eunuchus)
  • Follows the story of Phaedria, a young man who falls in love with Thais, a courtesan
    • Phaedria's brother, Chaerea, disguises himself as a eunuch to gain access to Thais's house
    • A series of misunderstandings and deceptions lead to comedic situations and ultimately a happy resolution
  • Stars Phaedria, Thais, Chaerea, Thraso, Gnatho, and Parmeno as its main characters
  • Explores themes of love, deception, social class, gender roles, and the transformative power of disguise

Social commentary in Terence's comedies

• Offers a critique of traditional Roman values and societal norms
  • Questions the rigidity of social classes and the treatment of marginalized groups within Roman society
  • Challenges the strict expectations placed on women and their limited roles in society
• Promotes empathy, understanding, and forgiveness as key virtues
  • Encourages open-mindedness and the acceptance of different perspectives and experiences
  • Emphasizes the importance of communication and the resolution of conflicts through compassion and understanding
• Explores the complexities and nuances of human relationships
  • Highlights the challenges and joys of familial bonds, friendships, and romantic love
  • Demonstrates the impact of societal pressures and expectations on personal relationships and individual choices

Dramatic techniques of Terence

• Employs stock characters and character types drawn from Greek New Comedy
  • Adapts and refines stereotypical characters to create relatable and engaging figures that resonate with the audience
  • Utilizes familiar character archetypes (the strict father, the lenient uncle, the young lovers) to quickly establish roles and relationships
• Crafts witty dialogue and clever wordplay to engage and entertain
  • Creates humorous exchanges and puns that showcase the intelligence and wit of the characters
  • Uses verbal irony and double entendres to add depth and complexity to the characters and situations
• Incorporates elements of farce and physical comedy for comedic effect
  • Employs mistaken identities, disguises, and slapstick humor to generate laughter and lighten the mood
  • Balances the use of physical comedy with more subtle forms of humor to create a well-rounded comedic experience
• Manipulates dramatic irony and plot twists to keep the audience engaged
  • Creates situations where the audience knows more than the characters, building anticipation and suspense
  • Introduces unexpected plot developments to maintain interest and surprise the audience, keeping them on their toes

Gender and class in Terentian comedy

• Portrays women and their roles in Roman society with nuance and depth
  • Presents strong, intelligent female characters who challenge societal norms and expectations (Thais in "The Eunuch")
  • Explores the limited agency and opportunities available to women in Roman society, highlighting their struggles and resilience
• Depicts social class and the relationships between classes with insight and sensitivity
  • Examines the power dynamics between the wealthy and the poor, showcasing the inequalities and injustices of Roman society
  • Highlights the potential for social mobility and the blurring of class boundaries through character arcs and plot developments
• Represents family structures and relationships with complexity and realism
  • Showcases the intricacies of parent-child relationships and sibling dynamics, exploring the tensions and bonds within families
  • Explores the conflicts between traditional family values and individual desires, highlighting the struggle for personal autonomy
• Subverts traditional gender roles and expectations through character development
  • Presents characters who defy conventional gender stereotypes, challenging the rigidity of gender norms (Thais as a complex, multi-faceted courtesan)
  • Questions the limitations imposed by gender roles and the impact they have on individuals' lives and choices