§subject_3The result is of course a happy explanation on all sides.
The result is of course a happy explanation on all sides.
Thais is taken under Laches’ protection, and continues her intimacy with Phaedria.
Thais is taken under Laches’ protection, and continues her intimacy with Phaedria.
Chaerea and Pamphila marry.
Chaerea and Pamphila marry.
Parmeno is forgiven by his grateful young master: and the only person who suffers is the unfortunate Thraso, who is beaten clean off the field, and is only too glad to submit to be the perpetual butt of these young sparks, on condition that he shall be allowed to be one in their parties, and thus still enjoy the society of Thais.
Parmeno is forgiven by his grateful young master: and the only person who suffers is the unfortunate Thraso, who is beaten clean off the field, and is only too glad to submit to be the perpetual butt of these young sparks, on condition that he shall be allowed to be one in their parties, and thus still enjoy the society of Thais.
This is the outline of the play, which gives a very lively and amusing action.
This is the outline of the play, which gives a very lively and amusing action.
But the most admirable feature is the manner in which some of the subordinate parts are worked out.
But the most admirable feature is the manner in which some of the subordinate parts are worked out.
The bye-play between Pythias and Parmeno is admirable.
The bye-play between Pythias and Parmeno is admirable.
The character of the Parasite as drawn in Act II. scene ii. is admirable, and striking from its novelty after the hackneyed ideal which is presented to us in all the plays of Plautus.
The character of the Parasite as drawn in Act II. scene ii. is admirable, and striking from its novelty after the hackneyed ideal which is presented to us in all the plays of Plautus.
No less admirable is the Braggadocio of Act III. scene i. , the features of the character being the same as those of the Miles Gloriosus of Plautus, except that Terence with greater humour makes Thraso prouder of his wit than of his military exploits.
No less admirable is the Braggadocio of Act III. scene i., the features of the character being the same as those of the Miles Gloriosus of Plautus, except that Terence with greater humour makes Thraso prouder of his wit than of his military exploits.
The scene in which Thraso is represented as attacking Thais in her house (Act IV. scene vii. ) is highly ridiculous, and reminds one more strongly than any passage of Terence of the free humour of Aristophanes.
The scene in which Thraso is represented as attacking Thais in her house (Act IV. scene vii.) is highly ridiculous, and reminds one more strongly than any passage of Terence of the free humour of Aristophanes.
We cannot wonder that the Eunuchus should have been the most popular of all Terence’s plays: for here there is the nearest approach to the "Plautini sales," which were the true Roman comedy.
We cannot wonder that the Eunuchus should have been the most popular of all Terence’s plays: for here there is the nearest approach to the "Plautini sales," which were the true Roman comedy.
It is said to have been purchased by the Aediles for the sum of 8000 sesterces (above 64 £ 10 s. sterling), the largest sum which had been given for any play.
It is said to have been purchased by the Aediles for the sum of 8000 sesterces (above 64 £ 10 s. sterling), the largest sum which had been given for any play.
The leading incident of the plot makes it unfit for the modern stage: but when we say this we say all that can be said against the play.
The leading incident of the plot makes it unfit for the modern stage: but when we say this we say all that can be said against the play.
The execution is highly delicate, even in the famous scene which describes the successful issue of Chaerea’s scheme.
The execution is highly delicate, even in the famous scene which describes the successful issue of Chaerea’s scheme.
The play is said by the author of the Life of Terence to have been acted twice in one day: and no doubt it was acted on more than one occasion.
The play is said by the author of the Life of Terence to have been acted twice in one day: and no doubt it was acted on more than one occasion.\n THE EUNUCH.
§productionEUNUCHUS. ACTA LUDIS MEGALENSIBUS, L. POSTUMIO ALBINO L. CORNELIO MERULA AEDILIBUS CURULIBUS. EGERE L. AMBIVIUS TURPIO L. ATILIUS PRAENESTINUS TIBIIS DUABUS DEXTRIS. GRAECA MENANDRU. ACTA II. MODOS FECIT FLACCUS CLAUDII, M. VALERIO C. FANNIO COSS. §1Si quisquam est qui placere se studeat bonis §2Quam plurimis et minime multos laedere, §3In his poeta hic nomen profitetur suum. §4Tum si quis est qui dictum in se inclementius §5Existimavit esse, sic existimet, §6Responsum non dictum esse, quia laesit prior, §7Qui bene vertendo, et easdem scribendo male, ex §8Graecis bonis Latinas fecit non bonas. §9Idem Menandri Phasma nunc nuper dedit; §10Atque in Thesauro scripsit causamn dicere §11Prius unde petitur aurum quare sit suumn
Acted at the Megalensian Games, when Lucius Postumius Albinus and Lucius Cornelius Merula were Curule Aediles. Lucius Ambivius Turpio and Lucius Atilius Praenestinus performed it. Flutes, two right-handed ones. Greek of Menander. Acted twice. Flaccus, the slave of Claudius, composed the music, under the consulship of Marcus Valerius and Gaius Fannius.\n If there is anyone who desires to please good men\n as many as possible, and to offend as few as possible,\n in their number this poet registers his name.\n Then, if there is anyone who thinks that a somewhat harsh remark\n was directed against him, let him understand it thus:\n that it is an answer, not an attack, since he was the first to offend,\n who, by translating well, and writing the same badly, out of\n good Greek plays made Latin ones that are not good.\n Just recently the same man produced Menander’s Ghost;\n and in the Treasure he wrote that the defendant\n should plead his case before the plaintiff claims why the gold is his.