cwl paper 1

Women's Role in Ancient Rome Society.
Women always have kept the most important part in any societies. Naturally, women have been responsible for the perpetuation of the society, and they also can be seen as the focal point of worship in some ancient religions. However, societies of ancient Rome viewed women differently from some societies of past eras. By examining how men see women, and women see themselves in “Haunted house” by Plautus, we can see that women was only considered as the secondary gender in ancient Rome societies.
Women characters in the haunted house include Philematium (a girl of joy), Scapha (her maid, an old hag), and Delphium (a girl of joy to Callidamates). In the conversation between Philematium, Scapha, and Philolaches, we can see that women always consider themselves as the men’s property in ancient Rome society. Scapa says to Philematium:
“Things unhoped-for come more often than things hoped.
Well, I suppose I never will convince you with my words,
But learn from my example, what I am and what I was:
For once I was a charming beauty just as you are now
And, loved as you are now, was dutiful to just one man.
He loved me, yes, by Pollux, till with time my hair turned grey,
Then left me in the lurch. [A sigh] I know the same will come to you.”
Base on her conversation, we can see that women in ancient Rome society also sustain themselves to be viewed and treated as property. Scapa once had the man who loved, and took care of her; however, she got dumbed by him and was back as the slave maid when she got old without any benefits. It have the same meaning in which ancient Rome women just like a toys for their men, and they ordinary throw them away when they lose interesting in them. Therefore, Plautus has indicated to audiences how enormous gender inequality ruled made the most affected on women life in ancient Rome through Scapa situation. In another dimension of views, it seem there are no humanity for women in ancient Rome society. Plautus used Philematium characters in reference to the lack of humanity for women in ancient Rome. Philematium: “Do look me over, Scapha. Is my costume nice enough? I long to please my darling benefactor Philolaches.” This conversation is a mark to the audience because it reflects the reality in which ancient Rome women’s obligations are pleasure their men in every circumstance. Furthermore, Philematium also say: “He freed me – spent such sums to be my single swain.I only think it’s right I stay ... monogamous to him.” By using the world “free” and “ spent such sum” directly Plautus is able to give audience the real picture about Rome society in which money can buy anything including women. In the end, we can conclude that ancient Rome women had no right of theirs own because male held absolute power over all female relatives, and it can be seen as the evidence for the lack of humanity for women in ancient Roman Empire. Another element I find interesting in Plautus writing is his use of lower class women characters in reference to the upper class men characters. These characters are written as arrogant upper class men who are put down by their slave women. The haunted house, Scapa (Philematium maid, ex prostitute.) told Philematium that Philematium was so stupid because she put her hopes in the man who own her; moreover, Scapa also give Philematium an advice that she need to flirt another man when she is still young and beautiful. Scapa, the slave, managed to educate the young Philematium the true color of life, showing that even a upper class men is no smarter than the lower class slave women. It is very interesting for the audience because we understand that some ancient Rome Women understand their situation and still find the way to fight for their right. In conclusion, “The haunted house by Plautus” can be seen as the vivid picture about the life as women in the ancient Rome society. By using women characters and conversation humor, Plautus has successfully portrayed the full picture about the ancient Rome society in which women have no rights for themselves, be treated as men’s property, and live in hopeless. In another hand, we can say that the role of women in ancient Rome society was only considered as the secondary gender.