Plautus Pseudolus Essay
1. With reference to either Petronius’ Satyricon or Plautus’ Pseudolus discuss what we can we learn about slavery in Roman culture from literary representations of slaves. Be sure to take into consideration the comic nature of these texts, as well as the fact that they were written for the enjoyment of free Roman citizens.
There are various aspects of Roman slavery that can be learned from reading Plautus’ Pseudolus.
Although this work itself is comical and meant for entertainment of the free, it takes actual concerns such as the roles of slave and master and depicts the ambiguity present in them. It actually reverses the roles from a typical master being in control and the slave being subservient. For instance, this play does not …show more content…
Harpax seems like a good servant, carrying out only his maters work. Pseudolus is able to trick him through mistaken identity. There is also the slave ….named. He may represent the bad slave. He is good at deception and seems to enjoy it. In terms of actual tension, it is evident with Pseudolus and Simo. Simo desperately wants to prove his upper hand and control over Pseudolus. In one scene his friend, and I believe that SImo must assert his power and “not lose face” in front of his friend.The ending is unrealistic, but comical. The audience sees Simo on his knees begging Pseudolus. In one way it shows that proper treatment of slaves is good. Calidorous ends up happy with his girl, while Ballio and Simo are both tricked, and lose money in the process. Slaves must be helpful and aid their masters and they will be rewarded. Pseudolus ends up gaining money and more than that one of his masters trust and maybe even to go as far as respect. Finally it goes to the argument of if slaves ar good. Was Pseudolus simply just deceiving by nature and ill-intentioned or was he in fact smart and good to his master. Does he deserve disdain or respect.
Harpax as dim witted/ idea of
There are various aspects of Roman slavery that can be learned from reading Plautus’ Pseudolus.
Although this work itself is comical and meant for entertainment of the free, it takes actual concerns such as the roles of slave and master and depicts the ambiguity present in them. It actually reverses the roles from a typical master being in control and the slave being subservient. For instance, this play does not …show more content…
Harpax seems like a good servant, carrying out only his maters work. Pseudolus is able to trick him through mistaken identity. There is also the slave ….named. He may represent the bad slave. He is good at deception and seems to enjoy it. In terms of actual tension, it is evident with Pseudolus and Simo. Simo desperately wants to prove his upper hand and control over Pseudolus. In one scene his friend, and I believe that SImo must assert his power and “not lose face” in front of his friend.The ending is unrealistic, but comical. The audience sees Simo on his knees begging Pseudolus. In one way it shows that proper treatment of slaves is good. Calidorous ends up happy with his girl, while Ballio and Simo are both tricked, and lose money in the process. Slaves must be helpful and aid their masters and they will be rewarded. Pseudolus ends up gaining money and more than that one of his masters trust and maybe even to go as far as respect. Finally it goes to the argument of if slaves ar good. Was Pseudolus simply just deceiving by nature and ill-intentioned or was he in fact smart and good to his master. Does he deserve disdain or respect.
Harpax as dim witted/ idea of