Roman comedy flourished only briefly, between the second and third Punic
Wars, but its cultural-historical importance is undeniable. In these fabulae
palliatae, Latin comedies staged in Greek costume and featuring ostensibly
Greek characters, Roman attitudes are questioned and mocked, but ultimately
reasserted. We will read the Menaechmi of Plautus and the Adelphoe of Terence,
two plays that burlesque the stereotypical relationships between fathers,
brothers, sons, and slaves. We will also consider selections from Cato the Elder,
Cicero's letters, and other primary and secondary texts that shed additional light
on Roman familial relationships and their place in republican society.
Format: discussion/recitation. Evaluation will be based on class participation,
several short papers, a midterm and a final exam.
Prerequisites: Latin 202 or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limit: 12
(expected: 8-10).
Hour: WILCOX