Pseudolus

Pseudolus is a play by the ancient Roman playwright Titus Maccius Plautus. It is one of the earliest examples of Roman literature. The play begins with the shortest prologue of any of the known plays of Plautus, though it is not known whether Plautus wrote this prologue himself or if it was added later. Pseudolus, was first shown in 191 B.C. during the Megalesian Festival. Which was a celebration for the Greek Goddess Rhea. The temple for worship of Rhea in Rome was completed during the same year in time for the festival. Plautus pulling his plays from Greek plays and influence, it is no wonder that he debuted this play during the Megalesian Festival.

Characters

Simo - An Athenian gentleman

Calidorus - Simo's son

Pseudolus - Simo's chief slave

Callipho - a neighbor and friend of Simo

Charinus - a friend of Calidorus

Ballio - a pimp

Phoenicium - (mute) a girl in the possession of Ballio and loved by Calidorus

Harpax - an officer's orderly

Simia - a slave

Plot synopsis

Themes

The Clever Slave: Pseudolus and Simia are both slaves in this play and are both the smartest characters. Pseudolus comes up with a plan to get Phoenicium back and Simia helps carry out the plan. Pseudolus plans and improvises his way to getting the girl Phoenicium for his owner’s son, Calidorus. In doing so he also makes a couple of bets that result in him becoming 4,000 drachmae richer. His machinations show that wisdom and ability are blind to strictures of class. The theme of the clever slave is one that transcends time and place because even though slaves are the lowest on the class system they still are intelligent and successful. And so the theme of the clever slave is essentially an underdog story and everyone loves an underdog. (Plautus, The Pot of Gold and Other Plays, Pseudolus)