Part 1: Answer the following in 2 pages using class material. Be sure to reference readings and/or lecture material:
How would you characterize entertainment from Rome both similar and different from Greek society?
In many ways, our culture is much closer to Roman culture than it is to that of ancient Greece. In what ways is our entertainment and the way we consume it similar to that of Roman theatre?
Part 2: In about 2-3 pages, analyze what Terence is doing with this play. What is the societal critique? What is the moral lesson of the play? How does it reflect what we talked about Roman means and customs? What striked you about the play? Did it have a contemporary feel or seem like an ancient comedy?
This is a Terence comedy and so comes witha little moral. Plautus plays are often more over-the-top and more on tititlation and excitement. Terence brings a small amount of the comedic vein of satire. It is by no means on par with Greek Old Comedy, but there is a touch of societal critique and a smart little takeaway from the play. The treatment of some of these characters is clearly indulgent and there are very few of them that we probably like. But, I question whether or not this is Terence’s point.
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