(Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World) 1st Edition
by Dorota Dutsch (Editor), George Fredric Franko (Editor)
An important addition to
contemporary scholarship on Plautus and Plautine comedy, provides new
essays and fresh insights from leading scholars
A Companion to Plautus is
a collection of original essays on the celebrated Old Latin period
playwright. A brilliant comic poet, Plautus moved beyond writing Latin
versions of Greek plays to create a uniquely Roman cultural experience
worthy of contemporary scholarship. Contributions by a team of
international scholars explore the theatrical background of Roman
comedy, the theory and practice of Plautus’ dramatic composition, the
relation of Plautus’ works to Roman social history, and his influence on
later dramatists through the centuries.
Responding to renewed modern interest in Plautine studies, the Companion
reassesses Plautus’ works―plays that are meant to be viewed and
experienced―to reveal new meaning and contemporary relevance. Chapters
organized thematically offer multiple perspectives on individual plays
and enable readers to gain a deeper understanding of Plautus’ reflection
of, and influence on Roman society. Topics include metatheater and
improvisation in Plautus, the textual tradition of Plautus, trends in
Plautus Translation, and modern reception in theater and movies.
Exploring the place of Plautus and Plautine comedy in the Western comic
tradition, the Companion:
- Addresses the most recent trends in the study of Roman comedy
- Features discussions on religion, imperialism, slavery, war, class, gender, and sexuality in Plautus’ work
- Highlights recent scholarship on representation of socially vulnerable characters
- Discusses Plautus’ work in relation to Roman stages, actors, audience, and culture
- Examines the plot construction, characterization, and comic techniques in Plautus’ scripts
Part of the acclaimed Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World series, A Companion to Plautus
is an important resource for scholars, instructors, and students of
both ancient and modern drama, comparative literature, classics, and
history, particularly Roman history.
