Plautus: Curculio

Description

This is the first book-length study of Plautus’ shortest surviving comedy, Curculio, a play in which the tricksy brown-nosed title character (“The Weevil”) bamboozles a shady banker and a pious pimp to secure the freedom of the enslaved girl his patron has fallen for while keeping her out of the clutches of a megalomaniacal soldier. It all takes place in the Greek city Epidaurus, the most important site for the worship of the healing god Aesculapius, an unusual setting for an ancient comedy. But a mid-play monologue by the stage manager shows us where the action really is: in the real-life Roman Forum, in the lives and low-lifes of the audience. This study explores the world of Curculio and the world of Plautus, with special attention to how the play was originally performed (including the first-ever comprehensive musical analysis of the play), the play’s plots and themes, and its connections to ancient Roman cultural practices of love, sex, religion, food, and class. Plautus: Curculio also offers the first performance and reception history of the play: how it has survived through more than two millennia and its appearances in the modern world. Cover page Halftitle page Series page Title page Copyright page Dedication Contents Illustrations Acknowledgments 1 Plautus, Curculio, and Roman Comedy: The Basics Roman drama as a social institution Roman comedy as a dramatic genre Plautus as a Roman comedian Curculio as a Plautine play 2 What’s Going on in Curculio? Plot points—Part one: Love is just a four-letter word Plot points—Part two: Turning trickster Plot points—Part three: Recognition and reunion 3 Major Themes and Humor in Curculio Animals Commerce and law Sickness What’s funny in Curculio? 4 Curculio in Performance: Music, Song, and Dance Music and meter in the play’s opening The sole canticum of Curculio Music in the rest of the play Dance 5 Curculio in Performance: Stagecraft Masks Costumes Masks and costumes in Curculio Props Staging 6 Play Inside and Outside the Play: Curculio and Metatheater Type 1 metatheater in Curculio Type 2 metatheater in Curculio Type 3 metatheater in Curculio Type 4 metatheater in Curculio 7 The Speech of the Choragus The Choragus as professional and as theatrical character The Choragus’ tour of Rome Who’s who on the Choragus’ tour Why this monologue? 8 Curculio and Roman Life Enslavement and sex-labor Food and hunger Poverty and the Roman underclass Religious practices 9 Curculio after Plautus How plays like Curculio were produced in the time of Plautus Early receptions of Curculio How Curculio got from ancient Rome to your bookshelf How Curculio has been adapted and performed in the modern world Conclusion: A round of applause for Curculio Key Terms and Definitions Notes and Recommended Reading Works Cited Index