Plautus

Miles Gloriosus

The Soldier

• Is one of the stock characters of Greek comedy, subtype of young man

• He often functions as an obstacle figure

Plautus’ Major Blowhard

• Major– Self-centered– Reckless (he kidnaps Convivia)– Adulterer

• Romans are not sympathetic and enjoy seeing him punished in the end

Plautus’ Major B.

• …accepts punishment as just for his behavior

• Not a happy ending for the soldier, but the Roman audience is pleased– In line with Roman ideals– Soldier has been corrected by his reaffirmation

of morality

1.1

What is the purpose of the introductory dialogue?

• What do we learn about the Major?

• Does Ingestio appear later in the play?

2.1

• What kind of information do we obtain from Dexter’s speech?

• Rehearse the details of Convivia’s story– When did Dexter first meet her?

– What is the relationship between Dexter’s master and Convivia

– How did the Major get hold of her?

– How does Hospitalides fit into the plot?

2.2

• Why is Hospitalides worried?• What is Dexter’s first reaction?• How does he describe feminine nature?• Does Dexter behave like a slave? If not, who does

he remind you of?• What is his plan?• Considering that Dexter is the slave and

Hospitalides a free citizen, how would you describe the power politics in this scene?

2.3

• Haplus is more frightened than triumphant to have discovered his master’s girlfriend cheating. Why?

• Where does Haplus find Convivia?

• What are the implications?

2.4

• How does Convivia handle Haplus’ cross-examination?

• What role does she play?

• What conclusions is the audience invited to draw about Convivia and other women? About Dexter?

2.5

• What role does Convivia assume now?

• How does she handle her part?

2.6

• What part does Hospitalides play in the plot designed to cheat Haplus?

• Does he play his part well?

3.1

• What is the relationship between Nauticles and Dexter?• Hospitalides’ speech may be somewhat lengthy but it gives

some interesting insights into several subjects. Which ones?

• Hospitalides’ views on marriage are a part of an important theme in this comedy. Which one?

• What is Dexter’s new plan? Is it directly linked to his earlier plot?

3.2

• What is the point of the conversation between Dexter and Lurch?

3.3

• Climax enters the stage. How are her views connected to opinions voiced earlier in the play?

4.1

• Is the conversation between Dexter and Major reminiscent of the introductory exchange between Ingestio and the Major? If so, how?

• What is the Major’s attitude towards Convivia?

4.2

• What little skit do Milly and Dexter stage for the Major?

• Why is the Major so easily persuaded by Milly?

4.3

• What part of the intrigue do the Major and Dexter discuss when Milly has left?

• What new details about the mother and sister of Convivia does Dexter supply?

4.4

• What is the Major doing while Deter is conversing with Nauticles, Milly and Climax?

• What new elements of the intrigue are revealed? What are his instructions for Climax and for Nauticles?

4.5

• What favor did Convivia do to Dexter?

4.6

• What do Climax and Milly do to charm the Major? 

• Whose appearance prevents a direct meeting between Climax and major?

4.7

• What contribution does Nauticles’ speech make to earlier reflections on women’s nature?

4.8

• What does the humor of this scene rely on? At one point the Major comes close to understanding his foolishness. Which one?

4.9

• Where is the Major going to meet his new lover? Why is the place important?

5

• How does the soldier handle his predicament?