Rome 9

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What roles do women play in Plautus' plays?

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Women in Plautus' plays are often depicted in stereotypical and subordinate roles, reflecting the patriarchal norms of Roman society. They are usually matronae (wives and mothers), young unmarried women, or meretrices (courtesans). Wives are often shrewish or controlling, while courtesans are cunning and manipulative.

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How are slaves represented in Plautus' plays?

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Slaves in Plautus' plays are prominent characters, often smarter and more resourceful than their masters. They frequently drive the plot by outwitting their superiors through cunning schemes and witty dialogue.

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What Roman elements are present in Plautus' comedies?

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Plautus' comedies include Roman customs, local references, Latin wordplay, and aspects of Roman political or social life, such as Roman law, family structure, patron-client relationships, and urban settings.

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What is the 'Safety valve theory' in the context of Plautus' plays?

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The 'Safety valve theory' suggests that Plautus' plays provided a subversive message that challenged Roman social norms. Through laughter, the lower classes could experience a sense of power or freedom from rigid hierarchies, with clever slaves tricking masters or women defying husbands, offering a release for frustrations without threatening the status quo.

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What is meant by the 'Hellenization' of Rome?

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The 'Hellenization' of Rome refers to the period in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE when Rome adopted Greek styles in art, literature, philosophy, education, religion, and language. This included Greek influence on Roman sculpture, architecture, painting, philosophy, mythology, and the integration of Greek words into Latin.

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Who was Terence and what is known about his life?

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Terence, or Publius Terentius Afer, was born a slave in Carthage, educated, and eventually freed. He wrote six comedies between 166 and 160 BCE, all of which have survived.