Roman Comedy XIII: Plautus’s Captivi, or Plautus Tries to Be High-Brow

Posted byTriumvir ClioPosted inRoman Comedy, The Romans

Plautus tries his hand at grand opera in Captivi.

Discussion Prompts
  1. What is the difference between “captives” and “slaves”? Why or why not does this matter?
  2. What is Plautus trying to say about slavery?
  3. Where does a parasite fit in a world divided by those who are free and those who are enslaved?
  4. Why do you think Tyndarus agrees to the ruse that he’s Philocrates?
  5. How would you direct this play today? Setting? Cast? Interpretation?

Published by Triumvir Clio

I have a BA in History and Classical Civilization from Loyola University Chicago and an MPH from Western Michigan University. I've been a geometry teacher, a religion teacher, a writing tutor. I'm a writer, a knitter, a dancer, a singer, an actor. And, yes, for fun I like to reread everything that was assigned while getting my classics degree.

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