In the context of Plautus's comedy, evaluate the importance of role of the plot in Early Roman Theatre

When looking at early Roman theatrical literature, and in particular at Plautus, the role of the plot is quite marginal. The number one objective of the comedy is to entertain the spectator, to distract him from his everyday routine. This is achieved through laughter, through comedic and often vulgar dialogues, and through paradoxical situations created by ridicolous characters. The strength of Plautus's literature therefore resides in its vocabulary, in its comedic pace, not in its plot, which is often repetitive and is not supposed to challenge the spectator, but rather to present a familiar storyline capable of housing all the funny scenes and role reversals which were so successful at the time.

Answered by Giacomo A. Latin tutor

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