10.2 Characteristics of Terentian comedy

Terentian comedy stands out for its refined language, character depth, and exploration of human emotions. Terence's plays delve into relationships, morality, and societal norms, offering a more subtle and intellectual form of humor compared to his contemporaries.

Terence's unique style was shaped by his background as a freed slave, education in Greek literature, and association with Roman intellectuals. His works reflect the growing appreciation for Greek culture in Rome while addressing contemporary social issues and tensions.

Characteristics and Context of Terentian Comedy

Features of Terentian comedy

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• Emphasizes character development through exploring the psychological depth and complexity of characters, allowing them to experience personal growth and change throughout the play (Pamphilus in "The Brothers")
• Portrays human emotions and motivations in a realistic manner, making characters relatable and engaging for the audience
• Employs refined and elegant language, utilizing sophisticated vocabulary and grammatical structures to create elevated and polished dialogue (Demea's speeches in "The Brothers")
• Avoids vulgar or low-brow humor, instead focusing on more subtle and intellectual forms of comedy
• Explores relationships and family dynamics, delving into familial bonds, conflicts, romantic relationships, and their challenges (the father-son relationship in "The Self-Tormentor")
• Incorporates moral and philosophical themes, examining ethical dilemmas and societal norms while promoting virtues such as loyalty, forgiveness, and self-awareness (the concept of "humane" treatment in "The Eunuch")

Terence vs Plautus

• Both playwrights adapted Greek New Comedy plays for Roman audiences and used stock characters like the clever slave (Pseudolus in Plautus' play of the same name) and the young lover (Pamphilus in Terence's "The Girl from Andros")
• Terence's comedic style is more subtle, refined, and character-driven, while Plautus focuses more on slapstick, wordplay, and exaggeration (the pun-filled dialogue in Plautus' "The Swaggering Soldier")
• Terence employs more polished and elevated language compared to Plautus' colloquial and sometimes vulgar language (the crude jokes in Plautus' "The Pot of Gold")
• Terence's plotlines are more straightforward and realistic, while Plautus often relies on convoluted and improbable plot twists (the farcical elements in Plautus' "The Menaechmi")
• Terence's characters are more nuanced and psychologically complex, whereas Plautus' characters tend to be more one-dimensional and stereotypical (the stock character of the boastful soldier in Plautus' plays)

Context for Terence's style

• Terence's unique perspective as a freed North African slave influenced his portrayal of social hierarchies and power dynamics in his plays (the treatment of slaves in "The Eunuch")
• His education in Greek literature and philosophy shaped his literary style and the themes he explored
• Terence's association with the influential Scipionic Circle, a group of Roman intellectuals, exposed him to Hellenistic ideas and literary tastes (the influence of Stoic philosophy in "The Self-Tormentor")
• The growing appreciation for Greek art, literature, and philosophy in Rome during Terence's time allowed his plays to serve as a vehicle for introducing Greek ideas to Roman audiences
• Terence's plays reflect contemporary Roman society, depicting family life, gender roles, and social classes while exploring tensions between traditional Roman values and evolving norms (the portrayal of women in "The Mother-in-Law")
• The influence of Menander and Greek New Comedy is evident in Terence's adaptation of Greek plots, characters, and themes to the Roman context, as well as his incorporation of Hellenistic philosophical ideas (the Epicurean themes in "The Eunuch")