Four Roman Comedies: The Haunted House; Casina, or A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Wedding; Eunuch; Brothers

by Plautus, Terence, J. Michael Walton

Four essential classic plays with an introduction by the editor



The comedies of Plautus and Terence are all that survive to us of a great age of Roman comedy theatre. Collected here are four important plays that offer a unique insight into everyday life in ancient Rome, whilst maintaining a pivotal influence over the theatre of the present day. In The Haunted House the intrigues of a clever slave are played out in a virtuoso comic role; Plautus's Casina is a fast-moving romp through the sexual mores of the Roman upper classes; Terence's more sophisticated The Eunuch, and The Brothers are perhaps closer in sentiment to the attitudes of modern comedy and reflect situations with universal appeal. The volume is edited and introduced by J.Michael Walton, Professor of Drama at the University of Hull.

Genres: Theatre

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Titus Maccius Plautus (c. 254 – 184 BC), commonly known as Plautus, was a Roman playwright of the Old Latin period. His comedies are the earliest works in Latin literature to have survived in their entirety. He wrote Palliata comoedia, the genre devised by the innovator of Latin literature, Livius Andronicus. The word Plautine refers to both Plautus's own works and works similar to or influenced by his.

Reviews

[Ryan Juno]

Read a funny thing happened on the way to the wedding. Highly amusing.

[Sai Bh. S.]

The story reminded me of the play "Scapino." I actually had fun reading it!