Roman Theater with Plautus, Terence, and Seneca: Crash Course Theater #6

Summary

This Crash Course video explores Roman drama, focusing on its comedic and tragic traditions. It highlights the works of two major playwrights, Plautus and Terence, known for their lively, character-driven comedies that borrow from Greek originals. The video also touches on the darker, more violent tragedies of Seneca, whose works reflect the tumultuous Roman Empire. Through analysis of plays like Plautus' *The Menaechmi* and Seneca's tragedies, the video illustrates the variety and influence of Roman theater, from slapstick humor to intense, bloody drama.

Takeaways

• 😀 Roman drama was heavily influenced by Greek plays, particularly the comedies of Menander and Atellan Farce.
• 😀 Roman comedies, known as *fabulae palliatae*, featured stock characters like the *adulescens* (young lover), *Senex* (old man), and *Servus* (wily slave).
• 😀 Typical Roman comedy plots involved mistaken identities, thwarted lovers, and the conflict between parents and children.
• 😀 Most Roman comedies have a happy ending, especially for the lovers, and often include direct audience addresses.
• 😀 Plautus, born in 254 BCE, wrote lively and musical comedies, contributing significantly to the genre with his use of wordplay and energetic plots.
• 😀 Terence, another major Roman playwright, wrote more sophisticated comedies that were less rowdy and had deeper ironies and elegant Latin.
• 😀 Plautus influenced Medieval and Renaissance playwrights, and Shakespeare borrowed much of *The Comedy of Errors* from his work *The Menaechmi*.
• 😀 Terence's plays are noted for their regular meter, saner characters, and fewer plot holes compared to Plautus's more chaotic comedies.
• 😀 Seneca the Younger, a Stoic philosopher, wrote tragedies that were darker and more violent than earlier works, reflecting the brutal realities of Roman imperial life.
• 😀 Seneca's tragedies, such as *Thyestes* and *Phaedra*, were marked by extreme violence and were possibly written for reading rather than performance, known as *closet dramas*.
• 😀 Roman tragedy, especially in the works of Seneca, introduced a five-act structure that would later influence playwrights like Shakespeare.

Q & A

What were the most popular forms of Roman drama?

The most popular forms of Roman drama were comedies, particularly *fabulae palliatae*, which borrowed heavily from Greek playwrights, especially Menander. They also included elements of Atellan Farce.

What are the key stock characters in Roman comedies?

Key stock characters in Roman comedies include the *adulescens* (young lover), the *Senex* (strict father or lecherous old man), the *Servus* (wily slave), the *Leno* (pimp), the *Miles Gloriosus* (bragging soldier), and the *parasite* (a slave who sponges off his master), among others.

How does the setting and character portrayal in Roman comedies reflect Roman society?

Although the setting in Roman comedies is often Greek, the situations, character names, and jokes frequently reflect Roman society, addressing contemporary issues and even Roman street names.

Why are Plautus and Terence significant in Roman comedy?

Plautus and Terence are significant because they were the greatest Roman comic playwrights whose works survived. Plautus was known for energetic, musical comedies, while Terence’s plays were more sophisticated and elegant, often dealing with deeper ironies and fewer crude jokes.

What is Plautus known for in his plays?

Plautus is known for his rambunctious comedies about middle-class Romans and their slaves. His works are energetic, filled with puns, alliterations, and often feature musical elements. His plays influenced Medieval, Renaissance, and even Shakespearean comedy.

What influence did Plautus have on later playwrights?

Plautus' works had a significant influence on later playwrights, including Molière and Shakespeare, particularly in the case of Shakespeare's *The Comedy of Errors*, which borrows heavily from Plautus' *Menaechmi*.

Who was Terence, and what is notable about his plays?

Terence was a playwright of African origin who was freed from slavery and became known for his sophisticated, less rowdy comedies. His plays are notable for their elegance, deeper ironies, and more regular meter, with better treatment of women compared to Plautus's works.

What are some key differences between Plautus and Terence's comedic styles?

Plautus' comedies are more energetic, slapstick, and filled with crude humor, while Terence's are more refined, elegant, and ironical. Terence’s works often have fewer plot holes, and his characters are more nuanced and sensible.

How does Seneca’s tragedy differ from earlier Roman and Greek plays?

Seneca’s tragedies are darker and more violent than earlier works, reflecting the chaotic, brutal reign of Emperor Nero. They are characterized by extreme on-stage violence, a pessimistic view of the divine, and a philosophical approach, deviating from the traditional Greek portrayal of gods as protectors.

Why is there debate about whether Seneca’s plays were performed or meant to be read?

There is debate because Seneca’s plays, especially those with extreme violence, may have been intended more as closet dramas meant to be read rather than performed. The graphic scenes, such as cannibalism in *Thyestes*, would have required special effects, which raises questions about whether these plays were ever actually staged.