Plautus Pseudolus - Book Report/Review Example

Plautus’ Pseudolus Roman slavery has been a topic that has been discussed over time and time again by philosophers. Philosophers have tried to find a link in the way in which there is a connection between the times, and this has resulted in an increase in the way in which people view the world. Among the many philosophers, readers find that Plautus wrote a number of articles on the features that are involved in the Roman slavery. In one of the features, the reader finds that Plautus wrote Pseudolus so as to pass the message and entertain the people of Rome by giving them a view of the happenings of the world from a satirical point of view. The aim of this paper is to analyze the aspects of literature that are brought up in the Pseudolus play and the portrayal of the Roman culture at the time. The article itself is one that is set in the Roman ages and is written so as to shed some light on the roman slavery that was going on in the time. The story is one that is full of comical relief about the way in which the people of the time always related with each other. It brings to light the relationship that existed between master and slave in the Roman Empire. In the entirety, the play was written so as to entertain the people that were free at the time, but the plot was not one that was similar to the ones that were there already (Stewart 6-7). The play reverses the role that existed between masters and slaves in the region. The theme to the story is one of the clever slave that was able to look past the way his life was, and got to become someone different to his master; more than a slave. He became a confidant. The author, Plautus, wrote an article with this theme so as to change the stereotypic ideology that was there at the time; the stereotype that slaves were nothing but people that are at the beck and call of their masters. In being the clever slave, Pseudolus manages to become more than a slave. He is portrayed more like a master. This is because throughout the play, the person that is supposed to be a master is the one that is constantly whining about the problems that he has in his life. This is further explained by the way he constantly needs the help of his slave, Pseudolus, so as to overcome his hurdles. Furthermore, the aspect of the narrative is brought to light by the language that is used in the narrative. The language is synonymous with a period and gives the reader the impression that the slave is far more learned than the master. His command of the English language is better and far more polished. Through the story, the reader gets the idea that Pseudolus is more polished than his master. Throughout the play, Pseudolus, each of the characters is built in a way to show the issues that are dominant in the Roman society and how they affect the culture. These issues range from the class to the wealth and status of the individuals. First, there are the lower class individuals such as Pseudolus. This is the main character of the play who acts as a slave to Simo. He is used as a representation of the low social status that are present in the Roman society. Pseudolus is a representation of the way in which there is an attack on the upper class of society, despite the fact that he is a slave. He is a slave that is cunning and manipulative. Pseudolus is portrayed as a comic hero who does not have his worth based on the social class that he fits. His worth is based on the way in which he carries out his actions. He is cunning and kind to the less fortunate. He does what he believes to be the right thing that will help those that are not capable of helping themselves in society. The author used Pseudolus to show the audience that irrespective of one’s social class, one can be used to create a better world for the people that are around him. Pseudolus was a person that was not from a particularly well off family, but his kindness and intelligence made him a perfect character to portray the hero of the play. Calidorus is another character who is unique to the story. He is the son to Pseudolus’ master and is used in a way to show that high class and wealth do not necessarily have a connection with power. The author brings to light the fact that most powerful people are often rich, but not all wealthy people are powerful. The way in which Calidorus is portrayed is so as to ensure that one should not be judged solely on their social and wealth status but on their credibility and credentials. The character symbolism that is present shows the difference that is present in the society (Stewart 5). Calidorus is a character that is humorous and a part of the play that adds both comic relief and a different perspective to the view that the society has the wealthy and their helpers. The symbolism is clear that there is a way in which the society would react to some people, thus resulting in there being a mystery that will arise. Mystery in the play shows how there is no definite way for people to carry out their roles in society. This mystery is brought to light when one is left wondering whether it is possible for a slave to be able to aid one’s master financially. The mystery is true; how is a slave supposed to be the one that will save the day? This mystery adds some taste to the narrative and makes it more enjoyable to the reader. In conclusion, Plautus wrote the play in a bid to entertain and address some of the issues that were most dominant in the Roman society at the moment. He used a satirical viewpoint to show that it was more than wealth that made one a powerful leader. It was a matter of the way in which people related to each other. Wealth was not to be used as something that defined who someone was in society, but it was just supposed to be something that people used to make ends meet. This is a trait that is common in the modern day society that we are living in. Works Cited Stewart, Roberta. "Who's Tricked: Models of Slave Behavior in Plautus's “Pseudolus." Memoirs of the American Academy in Rome. Supplementary Volumes (2008): 69-96. Read More