Have you ever laughed so hard that you pee your pants? I recently had that happen when I saw the play written by Plautus himself, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum". This playwright had both sophisticated and crude humor, that would make a mute man laugh! I walked over early in the morning and had Grumio cook me some food, because the play lasted all day. As I walked to the play, I noticed that there was a sign that said Plautus’ play was in the open-aired theatre, not the Odeon, which is the roofed theatre. Below this statement, I saw that Priscus was the editor of the play. I immediately thought that he wanted to gain political popularity, and sure enough I was right. I filed in with everyone else and sat in the ema cavea not the orchestra those rich snobby Pompeians sit. Priscus stood up and said that two famous actors, Actius and Sorex, were going to be on the scaena, or stage, today. After he sat down the play had begun. It started with three different houses, the House of Senex, the House of Marcus Lycus, and the Ancient House of Erronius. The House of Senex holds Senex, his wife, Domina, his son Hero, and many servants. The two main servants are Hysterium and Pseudolus, who is a cunning (but not always smart) servant. The House of Marcus Lycus obviously has Marcus Lycus, but with a couple…um…well more than a couple of surprises, many women. Marcus Lycus is a buyer and seller of beautiful women. The Ancient House of Erronius does not have anyone living there other than Erronius, but he is abroad looking for his two children who were captured by pirates. The play begins with Senex and Domina going on a trip, leaving Hero, Pseudolus, and Hysterium home alone. TROUBLE! Hero confronted Pseudolus and told him that he loves a girl in the House of Marcus Lycus. Pseudolus, probably having nothing to do, helps Hero get his secret love, but his reward for helping is for his freedom. He goes to the House of Marcus Lycus with Hero in search for his young maiden, Philia. Unfortunately, she was sold to a general who was on his way to get her. Pseudolus, using his God-given gift, told Marcus Lycus that there was a nonexistent plague on the island of Crete. Marcus Lycus, being gullible, agrees that Pseudolus should isolate Philia in the House of Senex. About right here, it was mid afternoon and it was sooooo hot! Thank the Gods though, they had sailors raise the awning and had the attendents around to sprinkle us with water to keep us cool. Now then, back to the play. Hero and Philia fall in love, but she has to honor her contract with the general, which means that she cannot be with Hero. Pseudolus thinks that they should make a sleeping potion to knock her out, so that Hero and Philia can stow away on a ship to Greece. Pseudolus told Philia to wait in the house (so he could make the potion) until she heard three knocks on the door. But before the potion is completed, Senex comes back from the trip and knocks three times on the door. Philia, thinking it was the general, goes down and offers herself to Senex. Senex accepted with a bit of uncertainty in his voice to have her, but first has to bath. Senex saw Hysterium and asked him who she is and he said that Philia was the new maid. While this happened, Erronius returned from his journey and wanted to go inside his house. Hysterium warned Erronius that there was a ghost in his house. Erronius wanted a Soothsayer to banish the ghost and give him wisdom. Of course, Pseudolus acted like a Soothsayer and told him to go run around the Seven Hills of Rome. Soon after, the general who bought Philia, came to town. Now there is conflict. Senex wants to please Philia, the general wants his wife, and Hero wants to run away with Philia. In order to have Hero be with Philia, he had to think fast. Pseudolus somehow tricked Hysterium to dress like Philia and act dead. When the general heard of Philia’s “death” he wanted to have a funeral. During the funeral, the general finds out that she was not dead. Now Chaos occurs, the general’s men and Marcus Lycus’ men started fighting. Erronius comes in during the fight and notices that the general and Philia have the same insigne on their ring, “the Gaggle of Geese”, as he does. This means that his two long lost children were the general and Philia. The end is very happy, Philia marries Hero and most important of all, Pseudolus got his freedom. If you have not seen this play I give it 4 stars out of 5.
Your Friend in Latin,
Quintus (Aulus)
Quintus (Aulus)
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