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

1310 Views

See similar Latin A Level tutors

Related Latin A Level answers

All answers ▸

In the story of Bacchus and the sailors, featured in Metamorphoses III, what image do we get of the god Bacchus?


How might I go about translating 'Cicero went to the forum to see Atticus' into Latin?


what is the mood of "capiat" and why? (NB. this kind of question would be referring to a passage, so it depends on the sentence from the passage).


which is the first declination in latin? what is the difference between the two last terminations of the singular one?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences